Sellers SUED for Using Creative Fabrica Assets?

Summary

Starla Moore, founder of Handmade Alpha Academy, shares her concerns about Creative Fabrica, a platform offering fonts and graphics with commercial licenses. Two Etsy sellers using Creative Fabrica assets were sued for copyright infringement, despite following the platform's guidelines. Moore reveals that Creative Fabrica's Terms of Service include disclaimers absolving the company of responsibility for legal issues, leaving users at risk. After investigating and reaching out to Creative Fabrica, Moore found their response inadequate, offering minimal compensation. She warns small business owners to carefully read the platform’s terms before relying on its assets for their business.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creative Fabrica users should be cautious when using assets from the platform, especially for commercial purposes.
• 😀 Creative Fabrica’s terms and conditions, specifically the fine print, might leave users without protection in case of copyright infringement.
• 😀 Sellers who use designs from Creative Fabrica on platforms like Etsy should ensure the designs are modified to meet Etsy's originality standards.
• 😀 Many users assume Creative Fabrica’s subscription includes a guarantee that the assets are safe to use commercially, but the platform disclaims any such guarantees.
• 😀 Two community members faced legal threats after using assets from Creative Fabrica in their Etsy shops, one of whom paid a settlement to resolve the case.
• 😀 Creative Fabrica's policies do not offer the kind of protection most users expect, especially when it comes to copyright infringement issues.
• 😀 Etsy's image recognition system can flag duplicate designs, which can lead to suspensions if a design used from Creative Fabrica is identical to others.
• 😀 Sellers using Creative Fabrica assets may be at risk of legal issues, even when they follow the platform's licensing and commercial use rules.
• 😀 After multiple attempts to resolve these issues, Creative Fabrica offered minimal compensation, which left one seller feeling unsatisfied with the outcome.
• 😀 The video creator, Starla Moore, strongly advises users to read Creative Fabrica’s Terms of Service to understand the limitations of the licensing offered.
• 😀 Despite efforts to resolve issues with Creative Fabrica, the platform failed to adequately support its users, leading to significant frustration and financial losses.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video?

The main issue discussed is that users of Creative Fabrica may be exposed to legal risks when using assets downloaded from the platform for their businesses, as there are concerns about the company's licensing terms and the actual protection these assets provide.

What specific incident triggered the video creator's concerns about Creative Fabrica?

The video creator was contacted by two community members who faced lawsuits after using assets downloaded from Creative Fabrica. This led her to investigate the situation and raise awareness about the potential legal risks.

How does Creative Fabrica advertise its services, and what is the concern about this advertisement?

Creative Fabrica advertises its services as providing fonts, graphics, and other creative assets with commercial licensing, allowing users to use these assets safely in their businesses. The concern is that this licensing might not provide the expected legal protection, as shown by the lawsuits faced by users.

What does Etsy’s creative policy say about using pre-made designs on products?

Etsy's creative policy prohibits sellers from using pre-made designs from platforms like Creative Fabrica directly on products for sale. Sellers must create original designs by combining multiple elements to avoid violating Etsy's creativity standards.

How did Creative Fabrica's licensing policies play a role in the legal issues faced by the sellers?

Creative Fabrica's licensing policies, as outlined in their Terms of Service, do not guarantee legal protection for users, even though the platform advertises that its assets can be used commercially. This lack of clear protection left the sellers vulnerable to copyright infringement lawsuits.

What is the key takeaway from the fine print of Creative Fabrica's Terms of Service?

The fine print in Creative Fabrica's Terms of Service includes a disclaimer that the platform does not guarantee uninterrupted service, nor does it warrant the accuracy or reliability of the assets. Additionally, it limits Creative Fabrica’s liability, meaning users are responsible for any legal issues that arise from using the assets.

What options did the first seller have when faced with the lawsuit, and what did she ultimately decide?

The first seller had three options: to settle the case for $650, to wait and see if the situation resolved itself, or to pay a higher fee if the lawsuit continued. She chose to settle for $650, which led to her Etsy shop being restored and the case being dropped.

What happened with the second seller who faced a similar situation?

The second seller received a lawsuit for a different design downloaded from Creative Fabrica. She had to pay $2,050 after legal advice and negotiations, which included $800 for legal fees and a settlement of $1,250.

How did Creative Fabrica respond to the video creator's outreach after hearing about the lawsuits?

After the video creator reached out to Creative Fabrica, the platform expressed concern and scheduled a Zoom meeting with her. They also followed up with the affected sellers but ultimately only offered minimal compensation, which left the sellers dissatisfied.

Why does the video creator no longer recommend Creative Fabrica to her audience?

The video creator no longer recommends Creative Fabrica because the platform failed to support the affected sellers, provided inadequate compensation, and the fine print of its licensing terms left users vulnerable to lawsuits despite paying for protection.