6 Popular Product Categories to Avoid Selling on Etsy

Taylor Swift-themed printables have become popular in recent years, with fans often searching for items that feature her lyrics or iconic quotes.

However, using Taylor Swift’s lyrics or branding on products like posters, mugs, or clothing can be problematic due to copyright laws. Most artists, including Taylor Swift, have specific restrictions in place to protect their intellectual property.

To legally incorporate Taylor Swift’s lyrics or branding, you would need a licensing agreement or specific permission from the copyright holder.

Without this, selling products with her lyrics is considered an unauthorized use of intellectual property, which can result in Etsy removing your listings or even suspending your shop.

K-Pop, another highly popular category on Etsy, faces similar intellectual property issues. Many sellers are tempted to create products that feature popular K-Pop idols or logos.

However, unless you have the rights to use these images or branding, you could face legal issues. Simply put, you must obtain licensing agreements from the companies representing these idols if you want to use their images legally.

There are, however, creative ways to tap into the K-Pop niche without breaching copyright laws:

• Design fan-made merchandise that incorporates your own original artwork inspired by K-Pop themes.
• Offer commissioned artwork for fans, such as custom digital illustrations, paintings, or sculptures that don’t use trademarked images or logos.

Pro Tip: Avoid using copyrighted terms or keywords in your product listings. This helps ensure your products don’t attract unwanted attention from copyright holders or Etsy’s moderation team.

Barbie-themed items have seen a surge in popularity, particularly with vintage-inspired or “girly” designs. However, the word “Barbie,” along with its distinctive logo and font, is trademarked by Mattel, and unauthorized use can violate their intellectual property rights.

If you’d like to offer Barbie-inspired products without infringing on Mattel’s trademarks, try focusing on products that carry a similar aesthetic:

Create pink-themed fashion accessories or decor that embodies the “Barbie” vibe without directly using any protected images or logos.

Use “dollhouse-inspired” designs for stationary, wall art, or bedding, steering clear of specific terms like “Barbie” or images owned by Mattel.

By doing this, you can still attract fans of the Barbie aesthetic without risking copyright violations.

The anime One Piece has gained massive popularity, especially with its recent live-action adaptation. This rise in popularity has led many sellers to try to capitalize on demand by creating One Piece merchandise.

However, like many other popular shows, One Piece is protected by strict copyright laws, making unauthorized merchandise risky.

Instead of focusing on specific shows like One Piece, consider creating general anime-inspired products. Tools like EverBee and eRank can help you research keywords and trends in the broader anime category, enabling you to tap into the niche without infringing on specific copyrights.

Disney merchandise is always in demand, but using Disney’s characters, logos, or any of its well-known icons without permission can quickly land you in hot water.

Disney vigorously protects its intellectual property, and their team frequently monitors platforms like Etsy for unauthorized merchandise. Selling items that include Disney characters or branding is generally not allowed unless you obtain a formal license from Disney.

If you still want to tap into Disney-inspired themes, here’s what you can do:

Create products that evoke a similar magical or fairytale-like aesthetic without directly using Disney logos or characters.

Submit a licensing request to Disney if you’re interested in creating official Disney merchandise. This process can be complex but will allow you to legally use their branding.

Obtaining an official Disney license is challenging and not often practical for individual sellers, but it’s essential to avoid any unauthorized use.

Although simple smiley face designs may seem like public domain, they’re actually protected by specific copyright and trademark laws.

In 1972, Franklin Len registered the smiley face logo, creating a company that still owns the trademark to both the word “Smiley” and the associated design.

This means that creating products with smiley face designs resembling the Smiley Company’s logo could result in legal challenges, especially if the design closely resembles the trademarked version.

If you’re set on using smiley face motifs, make sure your design is unique enough to avoid confusion with the registered logo.

While some trending niches can be lucrative, they also come with the responsibility of respecting intellectual property.

Here are a few essential tips to keep your Etsy store safe:

Use Copyright-Free Elements: Before creating any product, ensure your keywords, designs, and branding elements are not protected by copyright. This can prevent potential takedowns or disputes.

Understand Copyright Basics: Familiarize yourself with intellectual property laws, especially in your country. This will help you better understand what is allowed and what is off-limits when creating products.

Secure Necessary Licenses: If you’re interested in using specific, copyrighted themes or logos, consider obtaining the proper licenses or authorizations from the copyright holder.

Regularly Review Your Listings: Keep track of any changes to intellectual property rules in your niche. Conduct regular audits of your shop to ensure compliance.

Prioritize Original Content: Building a shop with original designs and concepts is the safest way to ensure your business’s longevity on Etsy.

By focusing on your own unique style, you’ll not only avoid legal complications but also create a memorable brand identity that appeals to buyers for its originality and creativity.

Navigating Etsy’s policies and staying within copyright boundaries can feel daunting, but with thoughtful planning and creativity, you can build a profitable store that’s safe from potential takedowns.

Avoiding these six popular but risky categories can help protect your shop and let you focus on creating products that are uniquely yours.