Navigating Redbubble: Sell Smart, Stay Protected

As digital marketplaces continue to flourish, platforms like Redbubble have emerged as a popular hub for independent artists to showcase and sell their work. However, beneath this creative ecosystem, questions still persist: Is Redbubble legit? Is Redbubble safe? Above all, how does Redbubble handle the challenges of intellectual property infringement – especially for established brands?

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This article explores how Redbubble works, the risks tied to copyright and trademark issues, and what you need to know to safeguard your brand in the fast-paced world of online art and product marketplaces.

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What Is Redbubble, and How Does It Work?

Redbubble is an online platform that connects independent artists with customers seeking unique designs on everyday products, from stickers and T-shirts to home décor and art prints. It empowers creators to monetize their work while offering consumers a vibrant, global marketplace.

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Here’s how it works:

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• Artists upload their original designs to Redbubble’s platform.
• Redbubble handles production and fulfillment, printing those designs on a variety of products.
• Customers browse and purchase items featuring the artwork.
  
  

For many independent creators, Redbubble represents a legitimate, low-barrier way to build a customer base. However, its open structure also creates significant challenges when it comes to IP enforcement.

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Is Redbubble Safe? The Influx of Copyright Infringements

Despite its mission to support artists, Redbubble has become a hotspot for copyright and trademark violations. Bad actors frequently upload copyrighted content – popular logos, characters, and designs – passing them off as their own and profiting from brand owners’ work.

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In the IP landscape, this creates a recurring game of digital “whack-a-mole” for brand managers: listings get taken down, only to resurface again and again.

Redbubble and Recent IP Litigation

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Two high-profile cases highlight the challenges of brand protection on Redbubble:

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• Atari v. Redbubble: Atari took legal action against Redbubble, alleging that merchandise on the platform featured stolen images from its classic video games, raising both copyright and trademark infringement claims. Although Redbubble removed 2,915 suspected infringing listings within 24 hours, over 90% were later restored after artists successfully argued that their artwork did not violate Atari’s rights. Ultimately, the jury found that Redbubble had not counterfeited Atari’s trademark.
• Brandy Melville v. Redbubble: Brandy Melville also pursued multiple lawsuits against Redbubble, citing both trademark and copyright infringement. In every instance, however, the court concluded that Brandy Melville had not sufficiently proven contributory liability on Redbubble’s part, ruling in Redbubble’s favor.

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These cases underscore the necessity of maintaining thorough documentation and ensuring your claims are accurate before submitting takedown requests. Clear, well-supported evidence will not only streamline the removal process but also minimize disputes and the risk of counterclaims.

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How to Protect Your Brand on Redbubble

Redbubble’s IP enforcement process is grounded in the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), leveraging a structured Notice and Takedown system. 

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Who Can File? Only the owner of the intellectual property, or someone legally authorized to act on their behalf (such as a brand protection partner or IP attorney), can file a valid takedown notice. Submissions from unauthorized third parties will not be considered valid under Redbubble’s policy and applicable law.

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If you’re a concerned observer rather than the IP owner or their representative, you can still flag questionable content directly on Redbubble by clicking the report icon located at the bottom left of the listing page. While this type of report requires minimal documentation, it carries far less weight than a formal takedown notice from the rights holder.

How to Submit a Takedown Notice

‍Fill out the Notice and Takedown Form on Redbubble’s website or send a completed takedown notice to dmca@redbubble.com. For the latter option, attach the list of infringing URLs in a structured format, like a spreadsheet, a Word document, or a vectorized PDF. Well-organized submissions allow Redbubble’s team to act swiftly and accurately.

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What Should Be Included in the Takedown Notice?
A complete and well-documented notice helps ensure a smooth process. Be sure to include:

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• Your Signature: A digital signature is acceptable and establishes the authority of the request.
• Proof of Ownership: Provide clear evidence to support your claim, such as screenshots of the original work, registration certificates, or other relevant documentation.
• Detailed Description of the Infringing Material: Be as specific as possible about what content is being misused and how it infringes on your IP.

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• Precise URLs of Infringing Listings: Redbubble requires direct links to the infringing items (e.g., http://www.redbubble.com/people/[username]/works/[work number-name]). This ensures accurate identification and removal.
• Your Contact Information: Include your address, phone number, and email address for follow-up.
• Additional Context: If applicable, include any extra details that might strengthen your claim: for instance, whether the infringing account is newly created or has a history of repeated violations. Redbubble often removes the specific infringing artwork but leaves the seller’s account active. Providing this context can help demonstrate a pattern of misuse and increase the likelihood of having the entire counterfeit account suspended or banned if warranted.

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Typical Processing Time
Once submitted, takedown notices are generally reviewed and processed within 1–3 business days. If the request is incomplete or unclear, there may be delays as Redbubble seeks clarification or additional information.

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The Importance of Accurate and Clear Documentation
Again, given the volume of content and the potential for disputes, precise and thorough documentation is essential. Submitting incomplete or inaccurate information can result in delayed or rejected takedown requests, and may expose your brand to counterclaims from alleged infringers.

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Selling on Redbubble Safely: Best Practices for Artists

If you’re an artist looking to sell on Redbubble while avoiding legal pitfalls, here’s how you can protect your work and reduce the risk of counterfeiting or takedown notices:

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• Respect Copyright and Trademark Law: Copyright protects the expression of an original idea (like illustrations or photos). Trademark law covers symbols, logos, and brand names that identify the source of goods. Using either without permission can expose you to liability.
• Understand Fair Use: Limited exceptions may apply under “fair use,” but this is a complex legal area. Before using third-party content in your own work on Redbubble, consult an attorney to avoid potential claims.
• Use Redbubble’s Protection Tools: Redbubble offers artists features in the Artist Dashboard, like watermarks and download protection. These tools help deter unauthorized downloads and reposts of your work.

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• Monitor for Infringements: Proactively search Redbubble using your artwork’s tags. This helps you identify if others are re-uploading your designs without permission.
  
  

Key Takeaway: Balancing Opportunity with Vigilance

Redbubble is a legitimate platform that empowers artists and offers customers unique products. For brands, it’s also a space that demands constant monitoring. Manual scanning for infringing content and navigating takedown processes can be painstaking and resource-intensive: the constant need to track, document, and remove infringing listings underscores the importance of proactive, tech-forward brand protection.

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Ready to Take Action?
At MarqVision, we specialize in navigating this complex ecosystem. Our AI-powered solutions not only automate the identification and removal of counterfeit listings across platforms like Redbubble, but also free up your team’s time and resources to focus on what matters most: growing your brand’s reach and impact.

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Schedule a demo with us today.

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