Windproof Lighters

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does anybody know of any sort of copyright used for the sublimation windproof lighters? (similar design to the world famous windproof lighter)
I am enquiring as the world famous windproof company recently advised me to stop selling and buying these lighters as they have a copyright for the shape and the ones i was selling are same style.
If anybody could help me out on this question i would be very grateful
Thank you

[AdamB]

Was this off e-bay by any chance?

[Justin]

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yes this was off ebay

[AdamB]

Hi,

I was waiting on your 'intro post' as Justin suggested - it's nice to know who we talk to you see.

I asked about e-bay as I had a couple removed in the same way a few months ago and had the same e-mail you had (I know it's the same as I'll explain later).

I was careful not to mention the word 'Zippo' in the listing as they were not and I listed them as 'wind proof lighters'. I checked fleabay and there were hundreds of other listings, all of 'windproof lighters'.

The next day, listing removed due to violation. I took the naughty boy ebay tutorial and then re-listed the lighter after checking again .............. BAM ............ removed again!

So I did a bit of research and found out that Zippo have a copyright on the shape, design and how it works in the UK, so you cannot list any on ebay.co.uk. BUT, I also know sellers from the USA are having their listings removed.

Now, I also know that there are hundreds of 'windproof lighters' still on ebay .................. why, I don't know?

But, after reading about the copyright thing I steered away from it .............. !

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Hi AdamB.
Sounds exactlly what happened to you has happened to me.
I even got in touch with zippo and asked them why so many people on ebay are selling windproof lighters and i am still waiting for there reply.
i was also told to stop selling, buying and importing these lighters. the lighters that are sold in the USA dont seem to have this copyright (as told by a usa sublimation supplier) as there top of there lighter is different but as to yet all uk suppliers i use are same shape as zippo.
i put the lighters on twice and got the ebay email saying i am in violation even though zippo was not mentioned so i have not put them on since, but it is just a bit naff that you cant sell these even though others get away with selling them and mentioning the name zippo in the description