How do I report an influencer using my Etsy listing photos to sell a course?

Hi! If they’re copying your actual Etsy listing photos/mockups to market their paid course, the most effective path is usually a copyright takedown on the platform where it’s posted (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube), and only involve Etsy if the infringement is happening on Etsy (e.g., they used your photos in an Etsy listing). Etsy generally can’t remove content that lives on other sites, but the social platforms can.

Here’s a practical way to handle it (in the order I’d do it):

1) Document everything first (before you message or report).
Take screenshots/screen recordings of the post/video, the caption, the account name, and the date. Save the URL/unique ID if the platform shows it. Also save proof that you own the images (see “proof” below). If they delete it later, you still have evidence.

2) Decide whether to contact the creator first (optional, but often worth it).
If you feel safe doing so, a short, calm message like “Those photos are my copyrighted listing images—please remove them or replace with your own within 24–48 hours” works surprisingly often.
Skip contacting them first if they seem combative, are doing this at scale, or you’d rather not give them a heads-up to delete and repost.

3) File a copyright report (DMCA-style) with the platform if they don’t comply (or immediately, if you prefer).
On Instagram/Threads (Meta), TikTok, and YouTube, copyright reporting is the right tool when someone reuses your photos/video without permission. These forms typically require you to:

• Identify your original work (your photo/mockup) and where it appeared first (your Etsy listing or your own site/social post)
• Identify the infringing content (the post/video)
• Provide your contact info and a good-faith statement under penalty of perjury

Important heads-up: in DMCA processes, your info may be shared with the uploader (that’s normal for takedowns/counter-notices). Use a business address/contact method if you can.

4) Report to Etsy only if Etsy is involved.
If they’re also using your photos inside an Etsy listing (or another Etsy shop is), use Etsy’s IP Reporting Portal (copyright is the usual category for listing photo theft). “Report this item” is fine for policy issues, but for photo theft/copyright you’ll typically want the formal IP report route.

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What proof you typically need (and what actually helps)

Most platforms don’t require “official” proof like a copyright registration just to submit a takedown, but you do want to have solid ownership evidence ready in case you’re challenged:

• The original image files (RAW, PSD, or the original JPGs straight from your camera/export)
• Project/source files for mockups you created (Photoshop/Canva history where available)
• Evidence of first publication (your Etsy listing date, earlier social posts, drafts, or cloud file timestamps)
• Any behind-the-scenes shots that show the product/photo setup (if physical)
• If it’s a mockup: proof you created it (not just bought a mockup template)

One nuance: if the “mockup” is from a mockup seller/template that lots of people license, you may not own exclusive rights to that template image. But if they copied your exact finished listing image (your layout, your text overlay, your design inside the mockup), that’s often still protectable—especially if your design/text is part of what they took.

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A few extra tips that help Etsy sellers

• Add a simple note in your listings/shop FAQ like “Listing photos are copyrighted; no reuse without written permission.” It won’t stop bad actors, but it helps set expectations.
• Consider subtle watermarks/branding (not huge, just enough to discourage easy reuse).
• If they’re implying you endorse their course (“featured shops/students”) and using your shop name/logo, that can also become a trademark / false endorsement issue (separate from copyright). Copyright takedown still tends to be the fastest lever for the images themselves.

If you want, tell me which platform(s) you’re seeing this on (IG vs TikTok vs YouTube) and whether they used (a) your exact listing photos, (b) your digital design inside a mockup, or (c) a common stock/mockup template—then I can point you to the cleanest reporting approach for that scenario.