WTF, 'trademark violation' on some kevlar jeans?

[EazyDuz]

So I was having a clear out the other day. Came across some Kevlar jeans I never wear. The brand is Australian Bikers Gear, probably about 5 years old.
So I put them on Ebay. With the brand name in the title.
The photos consist of a shot of the jeans, a close up shot of a small scuff on the knee and a shot of the ABG label.

I get an email a few days later saying the owner of the trademark has filed a complaint and my listing has been removed.

So

1. Why would the owner of the trademark bother to do such a thing? Nothing bad was said about the jeans, the description just explained the size and the small scuff.

2. Is that even legal? So you're telling me if you wanted to sell, say, a pair of Nike trainers, Nike could potentially have your listing removed unless you don't state the brand Nike, and blur out the logo?

I've relisted the jeans but tempted to edit the description to say something like:

Had a trademark claim, since I cant say the brand directly, work it out from this sentence: Austrlian made bikers clothes, or some might say gear'.

Mind blown
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[EazyDuz]

To update. It wasn't Bikers Gear at all, it was fukin DuPont. The mere mention of 'Kevlar' got the violation. I had no idea what DuPont was until I looked over the jeans and found the culprit:

https://imgur.com/vWlKK7U

How petty
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[Riejufixing]

[EazyDuz]

[Sister Sledge]

You'd actually think that DuPont would love the attention of things selling because of.
Is the complaint about the image or the listing of their product??

Reminds me of the time I attempted to list some old brass gun cases (big brass thing that bullets/shells go on top of).
EBay pulled the listing because it's a weapon that can be re-activated! Yeah except for this you'd also need a battleship to go with it.
Fire extinguishers are more dangerous because they have a lid.
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CCM 404 DS

[Shaft]

[Riejufixing]

[Ste]

The eBay VeRO people are dicks.

I'd email DuPont asking what their objection is to you using the word Kevlar in your item description for a pair of jeans that are kevlar lined.

The manufacturers page https://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/mens-kevlar-chino-mcycle-jean-black-11824.html says the jeans have a Kevlar® Fibre Protective Lining and I think those are the same as the jeans you've listed. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123801453277

[EazyDuz]

[Monkeywrenche...]

I'm going to go ahead and guess that they are going after chinese knockoff shit on ebay that doesn't really have their kevlar in, technically are you retailing this product? in which case they require you to have written permission to use their trademarks.

https://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/fabrics-fibers-nonwovens/fibers/articles/trademarks-licensing.html
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2001 Aprilia RSV Mille R -dead, 2016 XSR 700-gone, 2018 Dorsoduro 900

[Ste]

There are 498 listings on eBay in the motorcycle clothes section for used items which have the word Kevlar in the title or the description.

For some reason I don't think all of those will have sought permission from DuPont.

edit: typo

[EazyDuz]

[doggone]

If you previously showed a detailed close up of the Kevlar™ label it's probably just that rather than writing the name.
In stock photos you have to be very wary of copyright infringement e.g. T shirt designs or even a smileyface® design on a balloon or something

[EazyDuz]

[Evil Hans]

I think one likely explanation is that DuPont are having a crackdown on the folks selling things that aren't Kevlar branded but have the word Kevlar in the description, and including you was just human error.


If something is genuinely branded as something, and you are selling it second hand then there is no infringement if you use the brand name.
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[Ste]

[Pjay]

[Motorhate]

Do yourself a favour and just called it "Aramid" or something. I think that's what Hood Jeans do. It's basically the same stuff.
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[Grubscrew]

Flipping heck, what the hell is going on .
Love the Kevs lar!
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[Ste]

Kevlar is an aramid.

The jeans have a label on them saying "this product contains Kevlar" so there's no need to describe it as anything else.

If eBay decide to be stupid and remove the listing again then just flog 'em on facebook (or BCF!), as someone will have 'em for a fiver!

[steve the grease]

Ebay = the next Myspace. I think they are losing punters both buyers and sellers all over the place. I've just had a message telling me that they are reducing their fees, yeah because they are too high and people are baling out. Like Ratners and Ryanair if you shit all over your customers, eventually they catch on.

[EazyDuz]

[EazyDuz]

Lmao so I got a response from DuPont. To be honest I wasnt expecting one, but here we go:

Hello,
Thank you for your prompt response. After careful review, we felt that the listings violated eBay policy 2.1 (unlawful comparison). The items were listed as a Kevlar® branded product. We feel that the listing title / listing description should say, “made with DuPont™ Kevlar®”. Although the listing(s) may contain Kevlar® material, the title / description needs to distinguish that the products are made with Kevlar®” and not by Kevlar® so that the consumer is not misled.
You can find more information on eBay listing policies here: https://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/compliant-listings.html
If you are an authorized DuPont™ Kevlar® licensee, please provide us with identifying information as soon as possible for DuPont™ to review.
Thank You,
DuPont™ Brand Protection
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[ocatoro]

dupont are properly anal about this stuff. and it's fair enough really. they made the original material and everyone and their dog tries to claim to be using it.

it's like the hoover thing...
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[Ste]

That was surprisingly painless if not slightly OTT with protecting their brand name.

Someone might buy them if you offer postage.