[Judy in Waco]

Originally Posted by stellarstarx

Ugh! I am so angry! Last night I listed a pet product on Etsy. Today I had a woman contact me saying I was stealing her ideas because we have a similar product. It's similar, but it's not the same. I was never even aware she existed! I had never come across her product and I certainly have not been stealing her ideas!

This is a product I first made to bring home my dog Lola last April. I have made a few more in different designs. Friends and family members with small dogs loved them and had me make them some too. Then other people started asking about them, friends of friends, people on the street, etc, etc. My mom suggested I start marketing them to a wider audience. I immediately thought of Etsy because I have a few friends on there who make things by hand.

It just bugs me that this woman thinks I stole her idea. This is exactly why I hesitated before deciding to make this product more visible.

Sorry for the long rant. It just makes me angry because last night I was so positive about this whole thing. I was dreaming up other items I could put up on Etsy and thinking this could be a really great hobby and I could share my crafts with the world, but now I just don't know anymore.

You really need to report this to Etsy. I think she was completely in the wrong. How awful! Don't delete her message until Etsy has a chance to see it. I would also find all emails, receipts and photos you can to prove that you started making these on your own first, just in case.

I am sorry this is happening to you.