Etsy saying I'm no longer allowed to use 3 Sheets as a shop name and have
to change all these things on my shop. I was totally blown away. Not only that
they said that I'm not allowed to talk about it on any public forums until the
issue has been resolved.
Well, to my mind, it has been 'resolved' now because I have changed the name
of my Etsy shop... did you notice? Kylie3Sheets is no more... I'm Paravent now.
So, 'issue resolved' as far as they are concerned, but I still need some advice.
Do you have time for a long read? Can you give me your opinion please?
Okay, so back to a bit of background... First of all you might be wondering "Why?"
I instantly knew who was behind it because I've been harrassed and bullied by
another Etsy seller (and no I won't say who) since the beginning of the year.
She took out a US trademark on the name Three Sheets to the Wind last year
and wishes to enforce that even as far as small-fish sellers who have only a
part of this name. Anyway, she has got Etsy on her side (probably because they
are a US company and this is a US patent) so I understand from their point of view.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been very upset... Upset at the sheer mean-ness
and unnecessary behaviour and tactics. The Mr and some friends were all for
fighting the bully but I just didn't want to have anything more to do with her. I find
Etsy really easy and I'm comfortable with it. So if I can't be 3 Sheets there then I
guess I have to change everything...
I started thinking it was time for a fresh new start. If you're handed lemons, make
lemonade right? So, I changed the shop name to Paravent (french for folding screen)
which I really like because it's kind of a quirky play on words with screen printing
and I love the imagery of the folding panels etc. But then I realised I have to
re-brand everything otherwise it's messy, so I set up a new Paravent blog and
facebook page... and that's as far as I've got... I could have done more but I've
just stopped.
It's suddenly hit me this means giving up 3 Sheets totally... and I'm having a crisis
of confidence over my 'fresh new start' idea. Do I really want to throw away the baby
with the bathwater..? I mean, the only place I can't use 3 Sheets is in the States, but
do I really want to have two identities / blogs / facebook pages and all the confusion
that will inevitably come with it? Also, it's true that there are so many 3 Sheets (so
common, my dear!)...
Floating over all of this is embarrassment... I mean, such a small-fish swimming in
a very large pool... who's going to know or care one way or the other! ;) Maybe I'm
just looking for reassurance. (So needy! So pathetic!) I just need to move on, don't I?
None of this is important I guess.
Maybe this is just good to let you know what has been going on....
18 comments:
Wow. I'm totally disappointed. I am always so proud of how wonderfully kind and caring the online craft community is. I know the "bad guys" are out there--there's always a rotten one in the bunch, right? But I'm sad to hear you had a run-in with one of them. And I think she's taking it a little too far--you are not using her exact name, so I don't really understand how you're infringing. There are LOTS of businesses, with trademarks and all of that, who have similar names, and as long as they're not exact, it's ok. This doesn't even make sense to me. (Clearly I am not up on my trademark law, but still....)
So sorry you've had to go through this, Kylie. I, for one, will be sticking with you wherever you land, new identity or not. And I hope you know not all of us in the States are so nasty. ;)
i am sending you a long email :-)
A rose by any other name...
Tried to like the new shop but it seems I already did ;-)
Wow that is all so totally crazy! You poor thing...damn those big fish...grrrr!! I really wouldn't know what to do in that situation! It's a lot of work to rename everything but I suppose you do need constancy when it comes to branding everything hey! I do love the new name too :)
Like June at noon said... I will be sticking with you too :)
That really sounds terrible Kylie. I am totally surprised that Etsy would have handled it with such rudeness. Still, I am glad to see you smiling in the sunshine! The new name sounds fabulous and I am sure your work will stand out anywayTake care:)
I have made the transition with ease and accept your change with joy, why not!
As too the other three sheets to the wind...hello....hardly original, it means pissed! So they can have it and ....off!
Also time to open a big cartel shop too! Love the new name and what it stands for and I'm sorry this business was dumped on your door but you have handled it well! :)
OMG Kylie!
Thats so unfair, and the way they have handled this is so not good.
Good on you for embracing having to change.
Though it must be hard as it was not your decision.
I love the meaning behind your new name and look forward to the Paravent launch!! Huge hugs to you, XXJ.
uuuggghh, what a big zap of energy! i think no matter what you are calling your shop/brand/blog nothing will change re people's interest in your work and connection to you as a person ~ it'll all still be there as long as you are. but it would just be so nice to think about it at a time of your choice rather than being forced to do it. back to the important stuff and sorry to hear you've had a hard time with it and have so many tasks related to it.
xx
off to heart your new one :)
What the DUCK!??!!
That totally SUCKS Kylie. You're Etsy store has been open for ages hasn't it?
I just had a look at the 3ShitsInTheWind etsy store & they've only been open since May 2011 - I see they 'outdate' you on etsy by a few months - sux, totally sux
Bugger huh.
But I like the new name, I am currently in the process of liking it on facebook too.
Maybe you can take this as an opportunity to use this as a fresh start and NO you are NOT NEEDY NOR PATHETIC !!
What a frustrating experience! I'm so sorry.
I have followed your new blog and I'm just happy to see your wonderful creations - no matter what your official brand is :).
well you know how i feel about what's happened but am proud of the way you have resurfaced with such dignity. I can say a lot of rude things about 3 Sheets to the Wind but one thing she can't take away is your talent and style. That is not going to change, no matter what you are called x
Meanness is such a bummer of a thing. It is the one thing I struggle to get the point of. You may be a small fish in their pond but you are a big sparkle of creativity and kindness in ours. Paravent is perfect. See you over there xx
Oh poor you. I'm really surprised. Think you have handled it really well. I'm off to check out your new brand! Must have been so stressful. well done for handling it with dignity, which is more that the other party has done!
Power to you Kyle...new beginnings! Gotta love some regeneration from time to time. You rock, your beariful products rock and Paravent will do famously! I'm in!
All th best LZ X
What you tell here is sad, but you are so kind and talented, Kylie, yu will always succeed. I follow you and I think a lot of your loyal friends will do that too.
Towards a new beginning with Paravent!
Dear Kylie,
Oh boy. I find such tactics so unattractive.... So sorry to hear that it has caused you a crisis of confidence. Whatever your trade name is, you are unique and special....
Sending my best wishes from Paris!
I see great things ahead - this is just the beginning!
PS read all these comments - fantastic -see how everyone is behind you?
X.
It's a credit to you Kylie that you've handled such an awful thing with such dignity. I think I would have stamped my foot, called her names ( love Rie's comment, hee hee ;-) but you're right, at the end of the day you just need to move on. I agree that everyone loves your style & it doesn't matter where you go or what you're called. Good luck. Oh, and you're twice the person Ms Wind is :-)
Post a Comment