Redbubble and Art Theft: What’s Really Going On?

You uploaded your art to Redbubble… but then you saw it on someone else’s store. What the hell just happened?

Worried someone’s playing fast and loose with your copyright on Redbubble? You’re definitely not the only artist feeling that way.

Thousands have had their designs ripped off, resold, and reposted without permission. So, is Redbubble the thief… or is there something else going on?

We dug into the platform’s policies, tested their takedown process, and looked at the lawsuits to get answers.

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

• How art theft actually happens on Redbubble
• What Redbubble does (and doesn’t) do to stop it
• The fastest way to take down stolen art and protect your work

Here’s the tea: Redbubble isn’t swiping your art, but some shady characters might be using the platform to pull a fast one.

What Is Redbubble (And What It’s Not)

What Redbubble is:

• A print-on-demand marketplace founded in 2006 in Melbourne, now with teams in San Francisco and Berlin.
• A place where artists upload their own work, choose which products to put it on, set prices, and let Redbubble handle printing, shipping, and customer service.

What Redbubble isn’t:

• An art publisher or creator. It doesn’t claim ownership over the art you upload.
• A sculpture studio—it doesn’t transform your creation, it just prints it.
• A party to copyright theft. Redbubble isn’t out here grabbing your creations without permission.

How Art Theft Sneaks In

Because Redbubble lets anyone sign up and upload freely, some users take advantage. They’ll copy popular art—like famous characters, memes, or trending designs—and then sell them as their own.

These bad actors often:

• Shift styles or tag them differently to bypass detection.
• Keep popping up under new accounts even after getting shut down.

While Redbubble itself isn’t the culprit, artists often report seeing knockoffs popping up in droves—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of infringement listings.

Redbubble’s Policies and Legal Protections

IP & Publicity Rights Policy

Redbubble requires art uploads to be original or fully licensed. No stealing from others.

If someone repeatedly uploads infringing content, they risk account suspension or deletion.

DMCA Takedowns

Operating under U.S. law, Redbubble responds to takedown notices (DMCA) within 1–3 business days after receiving a valid complaint.

You’ll need to supply direct links, proof of original ownership, and a signature.

Counter-Notices

Think a takedown was unfair? You can submit a counter notice. Redbubble reviews it, and may put the content back if the appeal is valid.

Notice: Safe Harbor

Thanks to DMCA safe-harbor protections, Redbubble isn’t treated as the wrongdoer. They’re a neutral hosting platform—not the thief—so long as they remove infringing content properly.

Notable Court Cases

• Atari vs. Redbubble: Atari claimed thousands of unauthorized listings, and Redbubble removed about 2,915. Over 90% got reinstated after users proved they had rights. Ultimately, a jury ruled Redbubble wasn’t criminally involved.
• Brandy Melville vs. Redbubble: Brandy Melville went head-to-head with Redbubble over trademark drama—and yeah, they scored a win at first. But then, in 2023, the appeals court hit pause, saying Redbubble isn’t totally off the hook, but it’s not exactly the villain either. Turns out, to hold Redbubble responsible, you’ve gotta prove they knew exactly who was copying—not just that knockoffs were floating around. Oh, and plot twist: Brandy Melville hit Redbubble with a fresh lawsuit in 2024, claiming knockoffs kept popping up even after warnings. That case? Still unfolding.
• Wallshoppe vs. Redbubble: Again, Redbubble was sued for infringing listings. Courts granted them safe-harbor protection—confirming they didn’t actively encourage infringement, only hosted user content.

So, what’s the bottom line? Courts usually don’t see Redbubble as the art thief—but they’re also not giving it a total free pass.

Artists still need to stay alert and report copycats fast.

Practical Tips for Artists on Redbubble

Here’s how you can safeguard your work:

Leverage Built-In Protections

• Watermark your uploads so even if someone steals it, it’s clearly yours.
• Enable download protection to prevent right-click saves.

Monitor Your Work

• Search for your art online—on Redbubble and other platforms—to spot theft early.

Know How to File a Takedown

• Gather your original file and URLs of infringement.
• Fill out the DMCA takedown form—accuracy speeds up removal.

Keep Records

• Document infringers’ usernames and any repeat offenses—this can help support suspension.

Use Automated Tools

• Services like Red Points scan the internet and Redbubble for unauthorized use, report it, or even file DMCA notices on your behalf.

Keep Backup Proof

• Retain original files and metadata—this helps prove ownership if a takedown is challenged.

Why Art Theft Still Happens

If there’s no upfront vetting, people can upload anything. Sometimes knockoffs outnumber originals, creating confusion and lowered earnings for legitimate artists.

Sites like Wired have called print-on-demand platforms “breeding grounds” for infringement—thanks to low barriers and minimal monitoring.

TL;DR Table

The Bottom Line

Let’s be clear: Redbubble isn’t some shady pirate ship—it’s a legit stage for creators to show off and earn from their digital art hustle. But the open nature of the platform means theft can happen.

Redbubble equips artists with policies and legal frameworks to remove stolen content, but the most important defense is your own vigilance.

Want to protect your art? Watermark it, watch for unauthorized uploads, file takedowns, and keep solid records.

For artists serious about preserving their income and creativity, combining that with automated protections is your best bet.

Redbubble gives you the stage—but you’ve got to keep your spotlight shining.