eBay VeRO copyright issues

VeRO - the easiest way to eliminate competition

[chicagohh]

I have a niche product that I have manufactured. I wrote all instructions, created all diagrams and all images myself. It is completely original. I have used the copyright symbol since day one (6 months ago) when I first started selling it from web sites.

A day or so ago I placed this product on eBay. I sold one unit in a few hours and then *bam*! My listings were pulled due to a VeRO complaint.

The complainant will not respond to my emails and eBay is taking the DMCA position - when a complaint is made by a copyright holder they immediately pull the listings of the offender. They also flat refuse to offer any explanation. It is very frustrating when I am the copyright holder...

In one swoop someone eliminated me from even being able to compete on eBay for a non-trademarked, non-brand name product.

Has anyone else had esperience with VeRO?

EBay will review my complaints in a week or two (maybe) and then I may be able to sell again, but I think I will have to submit a subpoena in order to find out who made the libelous claims agains me. I do intend to pursue this legally.

If you have competition that sells a lot on eBay it is a snap to instantly kick them out. The sign up form for VeRO is a joke - Name, physical address, email address. There is no verification - just your word under 'penalty of perjury'. What does 'penalty of perjury' mean when it is done to eBay?

If you want to shoot down competition in December you should start loading the VeRO forms now.

[Jenstar]

I have used VeRO numerous times, but as the one who filed the complaint. You should be able to file a counter-notice with eBay, though (at least you could the last time I filed a VeRO complaint).

They do also encourage you to contact the one who filed the complaint - he/she could think you are selling unauthorized versions of the product using different sales info, rather than the similar product you are actually selling.