To loop or not to loop July 12, 2010 – Posted in: Applique, Sewing
So last year after my massive bean bag creating for my friends, I thought other people might like them and listed them in my etsy store. Not only did I not get sales, but hardly anyone looked at them. 4 months went by with nothing, so I let the listings expire and abandoned my store. On a whim this time around, I put 2 back in just to see what would happen. The response has absolutely blown me away! Almost immediately I started getting messages from people wanting more colors, different fabrics…I’ve even had one person send me fabric! I couldn’t believe it!
But my high came crashing to the ground last week when I received an email from the Etsy legal department letting me know I’d violated the patent obtained by Taggies brand and my bean bag listing had been removed from my store. Well, Taggies only caught 1 bag, so I left the other there and it sold a few hours later! Anyway, I was angry. Blood-boilingly angry. There are plenty of blatant copies of Taggie blankets, burp cloths and plush toys all over Etsy. They don’t make custom appliqued bean bags! Who do they think they are?! Apparently they have a reputation for trolling Etsy and taking down anyone who might be competition for them.
I sent an email to the Etsy legal department and exchanged a few messages with their extremely friendly and helpful in-house attorney. I also sent a message to another seller, and I dug around in the Taggies patent. As it turns out, they’ve patented the vague notion of sewing any looped ribbon between any 2 pieces of any 2 fabrics. How a patent can be awarded for that is absolutely BEYOND me, but pissed me off.
So in addition to all the sewing I’ve had to do this past week, I also have to find a way to reformulate my bean bags to make them legal to sell. I’m excited about doing it because I think they’ll still be popular. After all, I did get a message the next day from someone asking me if I had any left because she no longer saw my listing.
I’m determined not to let this get me down. I’m no longer angry, I’m motivated. Eat my dust, Taggies!
13 Comments
robyn July 12, 2010 - 13:01
you go get ’em Melissa! and by the way, the new website design is great!
Stacie July 12, 2010 - 16:26
Is there anyway that you can challenge a patent? I agree that it is just absurd that they were able to define their patent that way.
CJ July 12, 2010 - 18:40
Could you possibly just not loop the ribbon? Like, sew a strip of ribbon between the two pieces of fabric instead? It wouldn’t have as finished a look to it, but it’s at least a temporary solution if their patent specifically applies to looped ribbon (which is dumb).
That or use rick rack maybe?
I love your bean bags! I can’t believe they’re being so ridiculous.
CJ July 12, 2010 - 18:41
Oo, or list them on Etsy without ribbon and say that it can be added when ordering?
Melissa July 13, 2010 - 10:18
Thanks for the support girls! I’m not sure if there’s a way to challenge a patent, but I’m sure it’s quite pricey! I AM making them without the looped ribbon. Just double ribbon with heat-sealed ends. I’ve also thought about using rick rack, CJ, and have some cut to try! I’ve also seen on etsy where they give the option to loop the ribbon if the buyer requests, so I might do that. We’ll see! For now, I’ve got 35 bean bags to make for people who have already asked me for them! 🙂
Katie August 03, 2010 - 23:09
intellectual patent. Painful huh? Same thing happened to me. At the time I had only had one little taggie thing listed, but Etsy had to remove it. What angers me is that those who are created new, innovative tagged items are not allowed to sell them, but whose to say that Taggie won;t later “steal” that idea and mass produce it? painful. I think that giving the buyer the option to loop the ribbon is pretty successful for most.
Scotti O. August 03, 2010 - 23:35
It is a bummer and yes I have heard Taggies is infamous for this. I do agree that people shouldn’t be able to “steal” someone else’s idea, but their patent seems awfully general. Etsy is overflowing with copyright issues from Twilight, hello kitty and Sesame Street beanie just to name a few. It’s a bummer but I love that you are taking it as a challenge!
Sonya August 22, 2010 - 22:28
Hi There, came across your post…I, too, faced the wrath of Taggies a few weeks ago. I understand your frustration and hope you come up with an amazing idea! What’s ridiculous is, the blankets and other items I’ve found on Etsy are by far nicer and more fun and more colorful than things on the Taggies website. And, we make ours one-by-one…not on a huge mass-producing machine 😉 Best of luck to you!
Natissa February 22, 2011 - 21:22
If Taggie can patent just peices of ribbon being sewn between two pieces of fabric- it’d be HUGE! What about the regular brand label on all toys? Thats what my daughter loves.
I’m annoyed at their vague patent too. I wonder when it will expire?
Gerri k June 03, 2012 - 22:33
Expires 2020
Maggi January 06, 2013 - 17:21
I am about to set up as a sole trader manufacturing original knitwear designs and have never seen the purpose of the loops, personally I find them most annoying, but your response was great, thanks.
nate March 08, 2013 - 20:36
Can you email me a picture of the beanbag? I’ve been digging into this ridiculous patent and want to see what they have such a problem with.
Melissa March 09, 2013 - 18:09 – In reply to: nate
It’s the bags shown here: https://sewlikemymom.com/bean-bag-tutorial/