How My Journey Began

My introduction to Redbubble came a few months back, but I only joined three weeks ago. Initially, I was curious about the workings of e-commerce and print-on-demand. With basic design skills, I recognized the need to enhance them, believing that such abilities would be increasingly valuable in the future.

I experimented with various niches to identify one that resonated with me. My adventurous spirit led me to create a design inspired by the #VanLife trend. To add a humorous twist, I modified the iconic Wonder Woman catchphrase to "Vander Women," aiming to reflect a lifestyle choice. I found the concept amusing, as many creators strive to bring joy to their audience.

Before finalizing my design, I checked for any trademark issues and found no records for "Vander Woman." Using free images and fonts from Canva, I completed my design. However, just an hour after uploading, I received an unexpected email from Redbubble.

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I was taken aback because I believed I had adhered to all intellectual property laws. Redbubble's subsequent email informed me that my design had been removed due to complaints from Volkswagen AG regarding the claimed ownership of related intellectual property.

What Happened Next

"Dear Andreia,

We have removed the following content from Redbubble in response to past complaints from Volkswagen AG, who has claimed to be the owner or licensee of related intellectual property:

Vander Woman Adventurous Spirit."

My design did not feature a Volkswagen logo or relevant tags. The van image I used was freely available, and I believed that it did not infringe upon any rights. Despite my confidence, Redbubble's response offered no clarity on how my design violated their policies but did provide the option to file a counter-notice. I promptly did so, explaining that my work had no connection to Volkswagen's intellectual property and presented supporting evidence.

Unfortunately, after almost a week, I had yet to receive a response, which was consistent with the experiences shared by other sellers regarding Redbubble's lack of engagement.

Am I Alone in This Experience?

I firmly believe my design was compliant with intellectual property laws, as I utilized only free resources. To further investigate, I searched for similar designs that may have drawn complaints from Volkswagen AG. It soon became evident that other sellers had faced similar issues.

One striking example is Peggy Muddles, a scientist whose artistic depictions of beetles led to complaints from Volkswagen AG. Despite her use of "beetle" to refer to an insect, Redbubble removed her work. She faced similar challenges with other designs, even those specifying the type of beetle, "Rhipicera femoralis." Eventually, her lawyer intervened, and the explanation highlighted that the beetles predated Volkswagen's vehicles by millions of years. Following this, she received an apology and had her listings reinstated, but not without financial loss.

Conclusion: The Need for Change

In summary, the current automated copyright and trademark processes at Volkswagen AG need reevaluation. A human review is crucial for addressing unique situations effectively. By conducting thorough research, both Volkswagen AG and Redbubble could maintain their credibility and avoid alienating customers and sellers, ultimately protecting their bottom line.

Have you or someone you know faced a similar situation?

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The second video, "5 Reasons You are NOT Selling on Redbubble / Teepublic," explores common pitfalls that hinder sales on these platforms and offers valuable insights for aspiring sellers.