Use this free checklist before you publish a new Etsy listing. Paste your title and tags, answer a few questions, and it flags common copyright and trademark warning signs. It is a reminder tool, not legal advice.
Etsy Listing IP Checklist
Answer a few questions and paste your title and tags. The checklist flags common copyright and trademark warning signs before you publish. It is a reminder tool, not legal advice, and it cannot know every brand or character.
Based on Etsy’s Intellectual Property Policy and Seller Handbook, checked October 2026. To check a word or name, search it yourself in the USPTO trademark search at tmsearch.uspto.gov. When in doubt, Etsy suggests speaking with a lawyer.
How to Check a Name or Phrase for Trademarks
- Go to the USPTO trademark search at tmsearch.uspto.gov.
- Search the word or phrase you want to use.
- Look for live registrations for similar goods, like mugs, shirts, or prints.
- If you are unsure what the results mean, speak with a lawyer before listing.
Learn the full rules, how Etsy handles reports, and what to do if a listing is removed in our lesson on Etsy copyright and trademark rules.
Etsy IP Checklist FAQ
Does this tool check every trademark?
No. It looks for common warning words and symbols and asks you key questions. It cannot recognize every brand or character, so search the USPTO database and use your own judgment.
What happens if my listing infringes?
Etsy removes listings when the rights owner or their authorized agent sends a valid report. Etsy says repeat reports can lead to losing your selling privileges.
Is fan art allowed on Etsy?
Etsy’s Seller Handbook says fair use may be a defense in some cases, but it is complex and is not a loophole for copying. Rights owners can still report fan art.