Saturday 2 August 2014

Update on Happy Moon Pads Infringement

As mentioned in my previous entry, an Etsy seller going by the name of Happy Moon Pads was attempting to sell the Luna Wolf cloth pad pattern and tutorial set as her own work.  She was also selling a licence for people to sell items made from my pattern/tutorial set, as long as credit was given to her.

I have evidence of my ownership of this pattern/tutorial set dating back to 2009, when it was created.  The patterns themselves were hand drafted in 2008.  Happy Moon Pads did not exist until 2011, according to her own slogan - "Brightening periods since 2011".

I reported the listing to Etsy, as did several of my friends.  I never did hear anything back from Etsy, which was disappointing, but the offending listing was removed.

Good news, right?  Well, I thought so, until I realised that she'd created another listing.  Different picture, a few edits, but still my text word-for-word in the description.  I have reported the new listing to Esty.  I have yet to determine whether the downloadable product is my work, as that would involve BUYING it, and the thought of giving money to Happy Moon Pads to access my own work makes me feel sick.  I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do it though, to ensure I have the evidence I need.

The licence is still for sale, relating to the "new" patterns.

She also has the same listing on her own web site, which I have reported to her web host.

I'm obviously upset (and furious) that this has happened, but equally I have been bowled over by the support of my friends and customers who have added their own complaints to Etsy, and helped spread the word.  Thank you to all of you.