Defunkd

[PreserveVintage]

This is for any Etsy sellers: Are you guys getting deactivation notices from Etsy's legal department? I've gotten a few pertaining to vintage shirts/sweatshirts of colleges (Utah and Nebraska).

The colleges are obviously contacting Etsy and requesting that they take the items down. Etsy does so, and then contacts the seller, threatening to close your shop if they continue to receive notices of infringement.

[FiftyFiftyMan]

What reason did they give? Are they unlicensed? Because that's the only reason I can think of. They can't stop a seller from selling a used licensed shirt on a public auction (just as they can't tell you not to sell it at your yard sale, or a thrift store owner at his shop.

Unlicensed items are another thing. They can go after them.

[PreserveVintage]

Thanks for the response! In slightly different terms, the notices have mentioned trademark infringement.

The Utah item looks to be licensed. It's a Russell Athletic sweatshirt.

It looks like you're right about the Nebraska Blackshirts tee, which was probably unlicensed.
http://www.defunkd.com/product/PR139586 ... tshirt-lxl