How to report a copyright infringement on Redbubble

Last updated on: June 21, 2024

Whether you’re a business owner, legal professional, or digital content creator, copyright infringement is a growing concern especially when it comes to popular platforms like Redbubble, where designs are often used without the permission of their legal owner. 

Redbubble has faced significant challenges with copyright infringement in recent years. In one notable case, the site removed 2,915 listings within 24 hours as they were alleged to infringe on Atari’s copyrights. However, many were later restored due to errors in the initial takedown requests. Clothing brand Brandy Melville has also filed multiple lawsuits against Redbubble for the unauthorized use of their trademarked designs. The platform handles a significant number of takedown requests each year, highlighting the ongoing struggle of artists and designers against unauthorized use of their intellectual property​.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to report copyright infringement on Redbubble, so you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to tackle the issue head-on. 

What is Redbubble?

Redbubble is an online marketplace founded in Australia in 2006 by Martin Hosking, Peter Styles, and Paul Vanzella. The platform was created to help independent artists showcase and sell their artwork on a variety of products, ranging from clothing and accessories to home decor and art prints. 

Over the years, Redbubble has grown significantly. It now hosts millions of artists and attracts customers from around the world. The platform’s mission is to empower artists by providing them with a global audience and the tools they need to turn their passion into a thriving business. But as with many digital marketplaces, this growth has also led to an influx of copyright infringements.

Why do bad actors use Redbubble?

Thank to Redbubble’s popularity and reach, it has also become a target for bad actors looking to exploit the platform for their financial gain. These individuals or groups often upload unauthorized copyrighted content, such as popular logos, characters, or designs belonging to known brands or designers, and sell them as their own. 

There are several reasons why Redbubble attracts these bad actors:

1. Redbubble’s large and diverse user base makes it an attractive market for selling counterfeit goods.
2. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to upload designs and start selling, including those with malicious intent.
3. Selling unauthorized items can generate significant revenue, especially if they feature well-known brands or characters.
4. Sellers can often operate with a degree of anonymity, making it difficult to track and stop them.

What is copyright infringement?

Unlike trademarks and patents, you do not need to file for copyright protection. In most cases, your copyright protection automatically begins from the moment your original work was created.

Copyright infringement is when someone uses your original work without your permission. This includes copying, distributing, performing, or displaying your work without proper authorization. In simple terms, if someone takes your creation and uses it as their own without your consent, they are infringing on your copyright. Any use of someone else’s intellectual property without their explicit permission can be considered copyright infringement. This not only violates the rights of the original creator but also impacts their ability to profit from their own work. 

On platforms like Redbubble, copyright infringement can take several forms, including:

• Uploading and selling artwork or designs that belong to someone else, without their permission.
• Reproducing someone else’s work, whether it’s a graphic, photograph, or text, and presenting it as your own.
• Modifying an original work slightly and claiming it as a new creation without the original creator’s consent.
• Sharing or selling copies of an original work without the creator’s permission.

What is Redbubble’s copyright policy?

Redbubble takes copyright infringement seriously and is committed to protecting the rights of creators and artists. The platform has a clear and strict policy against the use of copyrighted material without permission. Redbubble’s stance is that all content uploaded by users must be original or properly licensed, and they actively work to remove any infringing content once identified. 

How does Redbubble deal with copyright infringements?

Redbubble has set processes that it uses to evaluate and respond to infringements, and in most cases, your copied designs are most likely to be taken down promptly if you file a report. To report copyright infringement on Redbubble, you need to fill out their online form, providing specific details about the infringing content and your original work. 

Once a report is correctly completed and submitted, Redbubble’s content team reviews it to ensure all necessary information is provided. This step helps verify the legitimacy of the claim and prevents any misuse of their reporting system.

Next, their team evaluates the reported content against the claim of infringement. They assess whether the reported work violates their copyright policy based on the details and evidence provided. If the claim is validated, Redbubble removes the infringing content from the platform. The user who uploaded the infringing content is notified, and repeat offenders may have their account suspended or terminated.

Redbubble will inform you as the original claimant about the action taken. But if the user who uploaded the content believes their work was removed unfairly, they can file an appeal. 

How to report a copyright infringement on Redbubble

By reporting any copyright infringements you see, you can help reduce the financial and reputational harm that fake products cause for brands and designers. Reporting copyright infringement on Redbubble is a straightforward process. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to report copyright infringement on Redbubble. 

1. Go to the Redbubble website and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on “Help Center.”

2. In the Help Center, type “copyright infringement” into the search bar. Select the “How can the Redbubble marketplace help to protect my work from infringement?” article from the results.

3. Review the information provided in the article to understand Redbubble’s copyright policy and the requirements for filing a report. After you have read the instructions, follow the link to “File a take-down notice.”

4. Fill out the “Intellectual Property Reporting Form.” Provide your contact information including your full name, email address, and phone number so that Redbubble can communicate with you about your report.

5. Provide a detailed description of the copyrighted work that has been infringed. Include titles, descriptions, and any relevant information that can help identify your original work. You should also share the URLs of the infringing content on Redbubble. 

6. Upload files that prove you own the copyright to the original work. This can include original artwork files, registration certificates, and other relevant documents.

7. Sign the declaration to confirm that the information provided is accurate and that you believe that the reported use is unauthorized. Once all required fields are completed, submit the form. Redbubble will review your report and take appropriate action.

After you report: what to expect 

Once you’ve submitted a copyright infringement report on Redbubble, here’s what you can expect in terms of process and possible outcomes.

1. Acknowledgment of receipt

After you submit your report, Redbubble will send you an email confirming they have received your complaint. This email should include a reference number for your case.

2. An initial review 

Redbubble’s content team will perform a preliminary review of your submission to check that all the necessary information has been provided. They will also make sure that the report meets the criteria set out in their copyright policy.

3. Evaluating the claim

The team will evaluate the reported content against the details and evidence you provided. This includes verifying your ownership of the copyrighted material and assessing whether the reported use constitutes infringement.

4. Decision-making

Based on their evaluation, Redbubble will decide on the appropriate action. This process may take several days, depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of reports they are handling.

This process can result in a number of possible outcomes. 

• Content will be removed if Redbubble determines that the reported content infringes on your copyright. You will receive a notification email informing you that the infringing listings have been removed from the platform, and the user who uploaded the infringing content will be notified of the takedown. 
• The suspension or termination of offending accounts may occur in cases where a user repeatedly violates Redbubble’s copyright policy.
• No action will be taken if Redbubble concludes that the reported content does not infringe on your copyright. You will receive an email explaining the decision.
• Redbubble may request additional information from you to make a more informed decision. This could include more detailed evidence of your ownership or further clarification about the infringing content.

The Redbubble appeals process

If you file a complaint against a Redbubble user and they feel that their listing was removed incorrectly – or indeed if you have an infringement report made against you and you can prove that you own the copyrights to the designs you’re selling, then an appeal can be made. This is the process for making an appeal through Redbubble.

1. File an appeal using Redbubble’s Counter Notice Form.
2. This appeal will be reviewed to ensure that the original decision was fair and based on accurate information.
3. During the appeal, Redbubble will reexamine the details of the case, considering any new information provided by the user. They aim to balance the rights of all parties involved.
4. After re-evaluating the appeal, Redbubble will make a final decision. If the appeal is successful, the content may be reinstated. If the appeal is denied, the original removal will stand.

How to automatically report copyright infringement on Redbubble

While manually reporting copyright infringement on Redbubble is important, it’s not always enough to get fraudulent listings removed. Especially if you have a large portfolio of works or face persistent infringement issues. This is where Red Points’ Brand Protection Software comes into play. Red Points offers a proactive and comprehensive approach to copyright protection, using advanced technology to detect and enforce copyright infringements automatically.

How Red Points works

Red Points’ brand protection software uses sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to continuously scan the internet, including marketplaces like Redbubble, for the unauthorized use of your intellectual property. 

Here’s how it works.

• Automated detection

Red Points’ technology continuously monitors online platforms for potential infringements and identifies unauthorized copies of your work with high levels of accuracy.

• Real-time alerts

Once an infringement is detected, the system sends real-time alerts so you can act swiftly. This ensures that infringing content is identified and addressed as soon as it appears.

• Streamlined reporting

Red Points automates the reporting process and can submit takedown requests directly to platforms like Redbubble on your behalf. This saves you time and effort and allows you to focus on your creative work and other projects.

• Comprehensive enforcement

The software not only reports infringements but also tracks the status of each case, providing detailed analytics and insights. This helps you understand the scope of the issue and measure the effectiveness of your enforcement efforts.

What’s next

Understanding and utilizing copyright infringement reporting channels is a key step when it comes to protecting your creative work and maintaining your brand’s integrity. Reporting infringements promptly can prevent unauthorized use from damaging your reputation and eating into your revenue.

It’s clear that creators and brand owners must stay vigilant and proactive in defending their intellectual property. But while manual reporting on platforms like Redbubble is essential, it is not cost- or time-effective for your team. Incorporating a technological solution like Red Points that scans thousands of sites every minute can offer broader and more effective protection.

Red Points’ automated Brand Protection Software is designed to help you effortlessly manage and enforce your copyright across multiple platforms. By detecting infringements in real time and automating the reporting process, Red Points ensures your intellectual property is safeguarded around the clock.

Take the next step in protecting your brand and intellectual property. Request a demo of Red Points’ brand protection software today.