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If you purchase an alleged DAVID BRIDAL product from an on-line auction, it is possible that the product is counterfeit. If a seller cannot guarantee the authenticity of his DAVID BRIDAL-branded merchandise, do not purchase the product. Our research shows that the counterfeit gowns are of extremely poor workmanship quality in comparison to the originals.
Further, please be aware that images of the DAVID BRIDAL gowns are the intellectual property of DAVID BRIDAL. Bridal magazines and certain authorized on-line bridal sites have been given permission to use those images for postings which have been pre-approved. The use of these images by anyone else in connection with a commercial enterprise constitutes copyright infringement without DAVID BRIDAL express permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did eBay allow me to post my auction if it is against the law?
A: Despite repeated requests, eBay has told us that they cannot conduct a comprehensive pre-screen of their auctions. Therefore, certain impermissible items are allowed to be listed thereby causing both time and money to be wasted by the buyer, the seller and DAVID BRIDAL.
Q: Why does DAVID BRIDAL care if I sell a single piece of unauthorized DAVID BRIDAL merchandise?
A: DAVID BRIDAL has expended considerable resources to develop and maintain a reputation for providing the highest quality products and services to its customers. Through the auction of counterfeit merchandise, people attempt to trade off of DAVID BRIDAL's well-earned reputation. These auctions not only cause monetary damage, but also damage DAVID BRIDAL's reputation, as many of the purchasers of inferior counterfeit products will attribute the poor quality merchandise to DAVID BRIDAL.
Having spent many years cultivating its strong reputation, DAVID BRIDAL must take action to ensure that online auctions of counterfeit goods are ended, even by single-item sellers.
Q: Can I legally sell copies of DAVID BRIDAL gowns if I identify the product as a "replica?"
A: NO! A disclaimer regarding the authenticity of goods, such as "faux", "fake", "knockoff", "DAVID BRIDAL-like", "DAVID BRIDAL style", "DAVID BRIDAL?", "DAVID BRIDAL", "cannot guarantee authenticity" and similar disclaimers, do not satisfy state and federal laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit/infringing merchandise. Representation of the merchandise as a "replica" does not offer exemption from the law for goods which are protected by copyrights and against unfair competition.
Q: Why can't I use the word "DAVID BRIDAL" or any other brand names owned by DAVID BRIDAL in my auction heading even though I am not selling a DAVID BRIDAL item?
A: It is misleading and impermissible to use the word "DAVID BRIDAL" when there is no legitimate connection between the goods sold and the use of the name.
Q: Why can't I describe my item as "DAVID BRIDAL-STYLE", "DAVID BRIDAL-LIKE" or a similar phrase?
A: Due to DAVID BRIDAL's fame, a person who sees the "DAVID BRIDAL" name is likely to believe that the goods are in some manner connected with or endorsed by DAVID BRIDAL, to DAVID BRIDAL's detriment and contrary to both state and federal law.
Q: My auction was terminated and there are no DAVID BRIDAL branded gowns for sale. Why?
A: It is possible that you misused one or more of DAVID BRIDAL's registered trademarks. eBay does not permit sellers to use registered trademarks in the titles of auctions or for the purpose of gaining attention or diverting users to a listing. Please visit: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-wordspam.html for specific information on this eBay policy. You may relist your item for sale provided you do not use DAVID BRIDAL's registered trademarks in the auction title. Please be sure, however, that the product you are selling does not violate any other laws or eBay rules.
Q: May I use DAVID BRIDAL's images, from www.DavidsBridal.com or from an authorized dealer's site in my auction?
A: No. DAVID BRIDAL closely controls the use of its images and does not authorize the reproduction of its images, graphics or logos on your website or auction. DAVID BRIDAL strongly enforces its intellectual property rights in order to protect the image and reputation of DAVID BRIDAL products and to continue to produce top designs. Auctions showing DAVID BRIDAL copyrighted images are in violation of eBay policies and will be terminated by eBay. Your own digitally produced images of the DAVID BRIDAL product you are selling are acceptable and you may refer potential buyers to www.DavidsBridal.com.
Q: Why didn't DAVID BRIDAL contact me directly before reporting my auction to eBay?
A: eBay is responsible for the items posted on its auction site. Due to the large volume of sellers who improperly copy or infringe upon the intellectual property of DAVID BRIDAL including but not limited to company imagery and copies of its designer gowns when offering items for sale on eBay, it would take a very large commitment of time and money for DAVID BRIDAL to contact each seller individually. Unfortunately, it is not possible for DAVID BRIDAL to do so.
Q: Why was my auction terminated?
A: Your auction violated one or more of eBay's terms. Possible reasons for termination include the sale of counterfeit DAVID BRIDAL merchandise, use of DAVID BRIDAL's copyrighted images without permission, sale of a promotional item in violation of a license, or misuse of an DAVID BRIDAL registered trademark. DAVID BRIDAL regularly monitors the Internet for violations of its intellectual property rights. DAVID BRIDAL notifies eBay of auctions which violate DAVID BRIDAL's intellectual property rights. eBay then takes the necessary action to comply with its user policies, including removing the auction from eBay.com without prior notice.
Q: Why are there other auctions running for the same or similar items?
A: Be assured that you have not been singled out. However, due to the high volume of auctions for DAVID BRIDAL items, it is difficult to remove every infringing auction. If you find auctions violating DAVID BRIDAL's rights or eBay's policies, please report them by providing the appropriate Seller ID to kgreen@DAVIDSBRIDAL.net. Please include "Report eBay Seller" in the subject line.
Q: If I report other sellers for violations of eBay's policies or for selling infringing and/or counterfeit items, will my identity be kept confidential?
A: Yes. If you find auctions violating DAVID BRIDAL's rights or eBay's policies, please report them by providing the appropriate Seller ID to kgreen@DAVIDSBRIDAL.net. Please include "Report eBay Seller" in the subject line. Your identity and email address will remain completely confidential and will not be revealed at any time.
Q: Can I sell a DAVID BRIDAL branded product if I am not sure whether or not it is genuine?
A: No. eBay prohibits auctions in which the seller cannot guarantee the authenticity of the auctioned merchandise.
Q: Why can't I sell an item that I originally purchased on eBay?
A: DAVID BRIDAL is working diligently to ensure that all counterfeit/infringing merchandise is removed from auction on eBay. However, some items do slip through the cracks and auctions carrying counterfeit/infringing items are completed. This does not affect the fact that the sale of counterfeit/infringing goods is against the law.
Q: I believe I purchased counterfeit DAVID BRIDAL merchandise on eBay. What should I do?
A: Your first course of action must be to contact the seller directly and ask for the appropriate resolution (i.e., a complete refund). Next, you should review eBay's dispute resolution policies and proceed with a dispute resolution and a fraud report. You may copy DAVID BRIDAL email address in the "cc" of the email or otherwise carbon copy DAVID BRIDAL on all correspondence. The link is: //pages.ebay.com/help/myinfo/complaints.html .
Q: I think that the item I offered is genuine, how can I tell if it is real?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot provide the public with detailed information on how to identify genuine DAVID BRIDAL clothing and accessories, as this information could also be used by counterfeiters to improve their bogus products. However, we can tell you that genuine DAVID BRIDAL products are made of superior materials and are crafted with the best workmanship. The only way you can be certain that you are purchasing a genuine DAVID BRIDAL gown is to purchase from a DAVID BRIDAL Salon or from one of its specially selected high-quality retailers authorized to sell its gowns.
If we ended your auction, we felt comfortable with our assessment that the item you were selling was not genuine. We understand that in some cases you were not aware that you were selling counterfeit merchandise. We also understand that you may have obtained this item from someone else who misled you.
Genuine DAVID BRIDAL gowns are sold through authorized DAVID BRIDAL stores. The identity of authorized DAVID BRIDAL stores can be verified by calling (877) 923-BRIDE or by visiting www.DavidsBridal.com.
Q: Where can I purchase genuine DAVID BRIDAL gowns?
A: Please visit www.DavidsBridal.com for a complete listing of authorized dealers and store locations.
Q: My email to you has not been answered. Why?
A: Because of the amount of spam emails received, your email must include a relevant subject and must include your Seller ID. Emails that do not include a relevant subject will not be read.
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