Selling online can be a fantastic way to build a creative business, but there is one area that regularly causes serious problems for sellers: copyright infringement. At Manxsy, we want our sellers to grow sustainable businesses built on originality, trust, and legality — and understanding copyright is essential to that.
This article explains what copyright is, why selling copyrighted items is risky, and how to protect yourself and your business.
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal protection that gives creators exclusive rights over their original work. This includes the right to reproduce, sell, distribute, and license that work. Copyright applies to far more than people realise, including:
- Movie and TV show characters
- Video game characters and assets
- Logos and brand names
- Artwork and illustrations
- Music, lyrics, and sound clips
- Books, scripts, and written content
If you did not create the original work yourself and do not have explicit permission or a commercial licence from the rights holder, you cannot legally sell products that use it.
“But It’s Handmade” Does Not Mean It’s Legal
A very common misunderstanding is that if something is handmade or customised, it must be allowed. Unfortunately, this is not true.
For example:
- 3D printed figures from movies, TV shows, or games
- Fan art featuring recognisable characters
- Printed items with logos or branded imagery
- Digital files based on copyrighted characters
Even if you designed the model yourself, printed it at home, or altered the design, it can still be considered copyright infringement if it is based on protected intellectual property.
Why You See Copyrighted Items on Etsy (and Why That’s Misleading)
Many sellers point to Etsy as evidence that copyrighted items are “allowed” because there are thousands of such listings visible at any given time.
What is often overlooked is that Etsy regularly purges copyrighted listings. These removals usually happen after rights holders file takedown notices. When this happens, listings disappear suddenly, shops receive strikes, and in many cases accounts are permanently suspended.
Just because a listing exists today does not mean it will exist tomorrow — and it does not mean it is legal. Many sellers only realise this once it is too late.
What Can Happen If You Sell Copyrighted Items?
The consequences can be severe, especially for small businesses.
- Immediate Listing Removal
Marketplaces can remove listings without warning once a copyright complaint is made. - Account Strikes and Bans
Repeated infringements often lead to permanent account suspension, meaning loss of income, customer reviews, and shop history. - Legal Action
Rights holders can pursue legal action directly. This may include cease and desist letters, financial penalties, and legal costs. Large companies actively monitor online marketplaces and do enforce their rights. - Loss of Trust
Customers and platforms are less likely to trust sellers who infringe on intellectual property, which can damage your reputation long-term.
Why “Fan-Made” Is Not a Legal Defence
Using phrases like “fan art”, “inspired by”, or “not affiliated with” does not make a product legal. These disclaimers do not override copyright law and do not protect you if a rights holder decides to take action.
Copyright law is based on ownership, not intention.
Safer Alternatives for Sellers
There are many ways to create products without putting your business at risk:
- Sell fully original designs, characters, and artwork
- Create theme-inspired items without using protected names, characters, or imagery
- Use public domain works where copyright has expired
- Offer personalised products using customer-provided content
- Develop your own brand identity and style
Original work not only keeps you safe, it also helps your business stand out.
Manxsy’s Approach
Manxsy exists to support ethical, original creators. We want our marketplace to be a place where sellers can operate confidently, knowing they are protected from unnecessary legal risk.
If you are ever unsure whether something is allowed, it is always better to ask before listing. Copyright mistakes can be expensive, stressful, and completely avoidable.
Final Thoughts
Selling copyrighted items may seem common online, but it is never risk-free. Marketplaces change policies, rights holders increase enforcement, and crackdowns happen without notice. Building your business on original work is the safest and most sustainable path forward.
Create what is yours to sell — and build a business that lasts.
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