Before, I continue, I would like it to be known that my problem is a result of my own fault.

 

As some of you know, I have a little online shop where I make little images and such and sell them on items. Well, about a year or so ago, I made a couple images out of the intent of humor, not thinking about everything through and through. This morning, when I checked my e-mail, I found this in my inbox.

 

Dear Shopkeeper,

 

We have received a warning from Universal with regard to content that may infringe upon their rights with regard to their television and movie properties. Please be clearly advised that we are taking a strong position in preventing any material that may be utilizing content derived from their properties.

 

 

 

Universal is taking a very aggressive approach with regard to your content. As you know, pursuant to the Shopkeeper Agreement you are ultimately responsible for your content and may be required to reimburse CafePress.com for any expenses incurred with regard to your content. Accordingly, in an effort to protect you and CafePress.com from potential liability we have the pended some of your images which prevents such images from being used on products in conjunction with the CafePress Service.

 

 

 

We realize that there may be some content that was pended purely because of the tags that they utilized. If you feel your content was wrongly pended, please contact the Content Usage department at cup@cafepress.com.

 

 

 

Please do not reupload content that has been pended.

 

 

 

We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

 

 

We have generated a support ticket to help us track your inquiry. Your ticket code is ***************. Please use this code in any further communication.

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

 

CafePress Content Usage Team

 

Now, where it says warning in the beginning, I have feeling that I may be ok, just so long as I don't do it again. I went ahead and deleted said items/images and sent and e-mail to cafepress to let them know along with an apology.

That should be suffice in my eyes.

 

You were warned and all the demands were met.

Well, if I were you I would have simply complied with the request rather than complying and sending an apology. The apology at least provides the company with some form of admission of guilt, as in you knowingly violated intellectual property rights. Why I say that is the company mentioned they may pursue reimbursement for the materials you used/sold.

 

I'd advise you to comply, simply send notice of compliance and hope that diseconomies of scale sweep this under the rug for you.

I'd go on TV and deny any wrongdoing.

 

and have Reverand Al Sharpton standing next to you.

Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent to CafePres

 

 

 

 

Dear Cafepress,

 

I would like to appologize for the content on my shop. I had initially created it as a humorous idea, but had no intent to infringe on Universal's IP. As such, I have removed all of the offending items and images from my shop.

 

-Brad Grierson