Copy after Copy & Bad at that!

[fortheloveofbet]

I am so glad I found you guys. I have never seen the like of gross copyright infringment, ever! I purchased knobs from an Ebay user thinking they were licensed since they claim they are in the ad. The seller printed the "stickers" on her printer and glued them to the knob. They are terrible! The print quality is the worse I have seen. She has about 75 different auctions for different images with Betty she prints for the knobs.

Below is a start list, just search by her user id to find them all........pages and pages full!

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-KISSES-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419546727QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-LEGS-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419546818QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-PINK-HEART-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419560416QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-RED-DRESS-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419570548QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-RED-HEART-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419571219QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-SHY-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419573721QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-USA-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419582709QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-WINK-KISS-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4419585054QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-KONG-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896396QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-AHOY-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896424QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-ANCHOR-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896454QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BACKPACKER-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896468QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BAT-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896491QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BATH-TIME-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896566QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BATTER-UP-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896607QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BBEAUTY-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896629QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BBEAUTY2-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896664QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BBEAUTY3-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896691QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BEACH-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896722QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BELLY-DANCE-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896755QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BICYCLE-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896840QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BETTY-BOOP-BIG-4-NEW-Drawer-PULLS-Cabinet-KNOBS_W0QQitemZ5995896884QQcategoryZ41974QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

[boopie1969]

I bet she thinks that just because she prints the stickers off the internet that her little knobs will be authintic. Have you reported her to find out if they are? I would if I were you.

boopie1969

[Candlesnboop]

Hopfully I can get this to MGChan our admin and he can get this taken care of. I will mention the thread to him.

Candles

[fortheloveofbet]

I did not know who to report it to. I have some of the knobs she made and she uses some kind of sticker paper and prints them from her printer. They are not real licensed images as I accidentally got one wet and that is when the ink ran and the image came unglued from the knob.

I just can't stand fake products. I guess you live and learn.
Thanks guys,
ForTheLoveOfBetty

[The Moocher]

This isn't only the unlicensed use of images. From what you describe the knobs are not fit for purpose and the claims are fraudulent.

I think Mgchan monitors this forum, and hopefully King Features' lawyers will get on to this. It looks like a major commercial operation.

In the meanwhile, as a purchaser, you can complain to ebay about the quality of the merchandise.

Mooch

[bettyboopfan]

Hopfully I can get this to MGChan our admin and he can get this taken care of. I will mention the thread to him.

Candles

MGCHAN created this thread for the purpose of members reporting such items. So I am pretty sure he has seen this and he will forward it to the legal department.

[bettyboopfan]

ForTheLoveOfBetty, thanks for providing us with these links.
If you are looking for licensed BB drawer knobs, I believe you can find them at
www.clubbetty.com.

Welcome to the forum!!

[fortheloveofbet]

Thank you for the info. I really thought the ones I bought there was licensed since their was so many.
I would not have minded even if they were hand made if they would have been a decent quality. She must be using an ancient printer for these. I will try to attach a picture of them if yall can tell me how to do it.

[Bikerbettyboop]

Thank you for the info. I really thought the ones I bought there was licensed since their was so many.
I would not have minded even if they were hand made if they would have been a decent quality. She must be using an ancient printer for these. I will try to attach a picture of them if yall can tell me how to do it.

Did you already leave feedback for this seller? I hate it when I see all these handmade Betty Boop knock offs! This seller currently has 268 Betty Boop auctions for knobs! And I don't think any of them are licensed. This seller is acmejunkcompany and that's a good name for them! Definitely selling junk and I feel sorry for those unfortunate buyers like yourself who purchase these hand made poor quality items and then are stuck with inferior products that are illegal!

Welcome to the forum BTW!!! If you are in doubt about the authenticity of any eBay items, ask the seller if it is licensed and look for the proof of licensing on the item once you get it. If it's not licensed return it to the seller and post poor feedback for them.

Ebay used to encourage us to notify them of fake auction items but now they don't police the auctions anymore. They want the owner of the trademark (in this case, the legal dept. of Hearst) to notify them of the infringement. It's frustrating!! Especially for legitimate sellers on eBay! But we'll perservere and hopefully someday all the bad guys will be gone!

[The Moocher]

I think you can still tell eBay if an item is not as described or is not fit for purpose. They may no longer monitor copyright violation, but they still worry about fraud.

Mooch

[bettyboopfan]

If you are in doubt about the authenticity of any eBay items, ask the seller if it is licensed and look for the proof of licensing on the item once you get it. If it's not licensed return it to the seller and post poor feedback for them.

Excellent advise!

[fortheloveofbet]

Yes, I reported it to Ebay as not a authentic product. I received an email stating they have no control over the quality or authenticity of merchandise and that I should direct my concerns to the copyright owner.

I think with 268 auctions running for fake Betty knobs, something could be done. That does seem like a commercial operation to me.

It is sad that things like this happen and it is allowed to continue.

[The Moocher]

That's a pity. Ebay used to ban sellers who consistently sold low quality merchandise that was not as described, especially when the seller was a company.

I'm very sorry to hear that this is no longer the case.

Mooch

[LilMizNaughty25]

They are so cute!!

[LilMizNaughty25]

They are so cute!!

[bboop480]

the ones on clubbetty.com are fabulous!!!

[fortheloveofbet]

I will be purchasing those from Clubbetty.com! They are fabulous & no doubt licsened.

Do the owners of Betty not care about loosing their copyright? I thought once you informed someone that their copyright was being violated and they did nothing, they stood the chance of loosing it?

The same seller is still selling hundreds & hundreds of handmade, printed, unlicsened, bad copies & won't refund my money

What a shame!

[The Moocher]

I believe King Features and the Hearst Corporation are active in pursuing breaches of Copyright and misuse of the Betty Boop image. However, there are many cases to pursue and they can't get on to every one immediately.

It is also difficult if the offending organization is unethical or registered overseas where different rules apply. Challenged organizations can declare themselves bankrupt, change their names, then start all over again.

I understand your frustration fortheloveofbetty, but it is often very difficult to get money back from unethical companies. In most cases, and especially on ebay where you're buying sight unseen, the principle of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applies.

This looks like a major scam and I hope the lawyers are on the case.

Mooch

[mgchan]

Our legal department is aware of this. The info was forwarded to them and it's up to them where it sits on their priority list and if they want to pursue them or not. There is also a team of investigators worldwide that looks for and goes after manufacturers and vendors with unlicensed Betty Boop merchandise. They're usually after the big-time offenders.

One more thing, Mooch is right... buyer beware. As long as consumers continue to buy these unlicensed products, the sellers will stay in business.

[Bikerbettyboop]

Our legal department is aware of this. The info was forwarded to them and it's up to them where it sits on their priority list and if they want to pursue them or not. There is also a team of investigators worldwide that looks for and goes after manufacturers and vendors with unlicensed Betty Boop merchandise. They're usually after the big-time offenders.

One more thing, Mooch is right... buyer beware. As long as consumers continue to buy these unlicensed products, the sellers will stay in business.

MGCHAN hit the nail on the head! As long as consumers buy these unlicensed items the eBay sellers will continue to sell them. We need to do all we can to stop these sellers. I haven't had time during this holiday selling season to go after them but guess what? I'll be back at it again real soon and they're going to get it from me again and again til they get the message loud and clear!!!

[bettyboopfan]

I noticed some sellers on ebay left some awful uncalled thing about you, BBB!!
It is sad that people act like that!!
And they are the ones that are doing something illegal, not you!

[Bikerbettyboop]

There are several eBay sellers who have sent me some pretty nasty messages but I don't care. I will fight the battle til the end!! Onward soldiers... to war!!!! LOL!!! I try not to let their comments get under my skin. I know this battle is worth the fight!

[fortheloveofbet]

MGCHAN hit the nail on the head! As long as consumers buy these unlicensed items the eBay sellers will continue to sell them.

Yes, but I asked the seller if the item was licensed and she told me she only used licensed product. I have found a new love in Betty Boop and at the time did not know the difference. I took the sellers word for it.

[The Moocher]

Nobody is criticising you, fortheloveofbetty. You are an innocent victim of a nasty scam.

All we are doing is pointing out the difficulties of stopping unethical sellers, especially when they are based overseas, and the near impossibility of anyone ever getting money refunded by such a seller.

Most of us have been burned at some time or other. All you can do is put it down to experience.

Mooch

[bettyboopfan]

That is excellent advice, Mooch!

[fortheloveofbet]

The seller is in Iowa, not overseas. I have her address where I bought these from her.

[The Moocher]

It might be easier to stop the operation if the seller is in the US. Sometimes, however, overseas firms use US or UK agents or post-restante addresses (a holding address where they can pick up mail.

Sorry, I still think a refund is highly unlikely.

Mooch

[bettyboopfan]

Too bad on the refund!

[Bikerbettyboop]

MGCHAN hit the nail on the head! As long as consumers buy these unlicensed items the eBay sellers will continue to sell them.

Yes, but I asked the seller if the item was licensed and she told me she only used licensed product. I have found a new love in Betty Boop and at the time did not know the difference. I took the sellers word for it.

I've heard that one before too.. a lot of people think that if they use a licensed Betty Boop item, they can make other items from those and it's ok to then sell that item but it's not ok.

[bettyboopfan]

Hopefully this seller will be stopped soon!!