What is the policy?
Use of third-party content is not allowed on eBay (including listings, shop pages or reviews) without the required permission of the rights owner (for example, through a licence). Such content includes:
- Images
- Videos
- Texts, such as descriptions
- Other third-party content (such as audio content)
Images, videos and other content can be protected by copyright or other rights. Unauthorised use of such protected content is an infringement of rights and doesn’t follow this policy or the Intellectual property policy.
Users should produce their own content to post on eBay and not use any third-party content or third-party intellectual property. For example, sellers should draft their own descriptions and take their own photos and videos for their listings. Sellers may also use images and information provided by eBay, for example via eBay's catalogue, which is provided (when available) through the “Find a match” feature.
If you upload descriptions, videos, photos or other content created by someone else, you must have explicit written permission to use the content on eBay (such as a licence) from everyone that has any rights to that content. If you do not secure permission, the rights owners can, for example, report the content to eBay through the Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) programme. The following are examples of activities that aren’t allowed:
- Taking images and videos from other eBay sellers’ listings, the product manufacturers’ websites or other websites or search engine results without permission
- Copying texts from product packaging without permission: You can usually use information such as measurements, weight or other item specifications that are necessary to describe the item and that you cannot phrase differently. However, you should avoid using any other text from product packaging
- Scanning or copying texts from catalogues or advertisements without permission
In addition, you need to follow these guidelines when posting content, such as images, videos and texts, on eBay:
- Brand names and logos of third parties: Use of unrelated third-party brand names and logos in listing images and other content is not allowed. You will find more information in our Intellectual property policy
- Exceeding maximum size: We recommend videos be shorter than 1 minute for the best viewing experience. Videos over 150MB are not allowed
- Poor-quality: Images or videos that are blurry, undefined or distorted are not allowed
- Explicit content: You will find more information about this kind of prohibited content in our Illegal explicit content policy
- Offensive content: Content that promotes or glorifies hatred, violence or discrimination is not allowed. You will find more information in our Offensive materials policy
- Nudity and sexually oriented materials: Images and videos may not feature nudity or include sexually oriented materials. More information is available in our Adult items policy
- Directing buyers off eBay: Content directing buyers off eBay, such as photos or texts with contact information, web links, URLs or other statements that encourage buyers to take their activity off eBay (e.g., “You will find more information on xyz.ie”) are not allowed. More information is available in our Offering to buy or sell outside eBay policy
- Publishing any personally identifiable information of a third party is not allowed
- Uploading images for a return request: When opening a return request, we may ask you to upload an image. You may provide only images that are relevant to why you are returning the item
- Uploading images for feedback: When leaving feedback, you need to accurately represent the item you purchased. You may include pictures, if they don't infringe third-party rights and they follow our policies, including the Feedback policy, the Offensive materials policy, the Adult items policy, and the Illegal explicit content policy
Why does eBay have this policy?
This policy prevents the use of content that infringes the rights of third parties on eBay. In addition, this policy helps ensure that eBay users find items that meet their expectations and comply with legal requirements.
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.
Helpful links
Other policies that may be relevant in this context:
- Intellectual property policy
- Illegal explicit content policy
- Offensive materials policy
- Adult items policy
- Offering to buy or sell outside eBay policy