Can a bigger Etsy shop report me for "inspired" digital designs that look similar?

Hi! Yes, it’s pretty common in competitive niches for a bigger Etsy shop to throw around “I’ll report you” when your listings share a similar aesthetic—but “having the same vibe” usually isn’t something they can successfully claim ownership of. What matters is whether you’re actually infringing something protectable (copyrighted artwork, specific original design elements, or trademarks like brand names/logos/phrases), not whether your digital downloads fit the same trend.

Here’s how Etsy reporting typically plays out (so you know what risk is real vs. noise):

• “Report this item/shop” flags (the built-in report button) can be submitted by anyone, but Etsy reviews them for policy issues. A similar style alone generally isn’t an Etsy policy violation.
• Intellectual property (IP) takedowns (copyright/trademark) are the bigger risk. Etsy will usually remove/disable a listing if they receive a formal IP complaint, and you’ll be notified. For copyright-type claims, there’s also a formal dispute/counter process, but it can be stressful and time-sensitive.

What to do now to protect yourself (without panicking):

1) Don’t engage in an argument—reply once, then stop.
You can send one calm message like: “Thanks for reaching out. My work is original and I’m not copying your files or designs. I won’t be discussing this further.” If they keep messaging or it feels threatening, mark the message as spam and/or block them. Etsy doesn’t allow harassment or interference with another seller’s business via Messages.

2) Audit your Etsy listings for the “easy-to-misinterpret” stuff.
Even when your art is original, shops often get hit over these:

• Titles/tags/description: Don’t mention their shop name, brand, or anything that reads like “dupe of X” or “inspired by [brand/shop].”
• Trademarked phrases: Be extra careful with niche keywords that might actually be trademarks (catchphrases, brand slogans, character names, etc.).
• Fonts/graphics/licenses: Make sure any fonts, clipart, textures, and templates you used are licensed for commercial use in digital products.
• Mockups: Don’t use the same mockup photos they use, and avoid mockups that are widely stolen/reused.

3) Keep proof your designs are yours.
If there’s ever a complaint, you’ll want a clean paper trail:

• Working files (Procreate/AI/PSD/Canva history where possible), layers, drafts, timestamps
• Receipts/licenses for fonts, clipart, mockups
• Dated exports showing your creation process (even simple screen recordings help)

4) Differentiate where it counts (even within the same “trend”).
If the niche is crowded, build “distance” with choices that are clearly yours: unique layouts, illustration style, border motifs, color palettes, wording, bonus pages, and how you package the download. Similar category + similar trend is normal; identical composition and unique elements is what looks suspicious.

5) If they actually file an IP claim:
Don’t re-list the same content immediately. Read Etsy’s notice carefully, then decide whether to (a) adjust/remove the listing, (b) contact the claimant to resolve, or (c) dispute it if you genuinely have grounds. If it’s complicated or they’re claiming ownership of something broad, it may be worth getting a quick legal opinion.

If you want, paste (without any personal info) the exact wording of their message and tell me what kind of digital downloads you sell (prints, planners, templates, SVGs, etc.). I can suggest a safe one-time reply and a quick checklist of the most common IP/trademark tripwires for that specific niche.