Hi, I’m Michael. I own a 3D printing company called Swamp Witches Inc. I mainly sell crafting tools and gadgets to people who craft. Things from rhinestone trays and sorters to glitter holders and tumbler stands. In March 2024, I had a manual tumbler turner designed. I did a pre-sale for it April 1st and completely sold out within 24 hours. Things went so well, that I decided to do a second pre-sale on May 1st. The sale went live and about half way through the day, my listing got pulled off of Shopify. Someone is claiming that I was infringing on their rights. That could not be further from the truth. But, the process with Shopify is all automated and it didn’t matter whether they were telling the truth or not. So, I had to hire an attorney to fight the claims and between the attorney fees and loss of sales, my business isn’t anywhere near what it used to be. I was laid off from my job of 12 years in January and that’s when I decided to try to make this 3D printing business my full time gig. Things were going so well….until this happened. I had even signed a lease to have my own shop the morning that my listing got pulled. That was May 1st. I couldn't afford to move into the shop because of what happened, so I had to break my lease. My business is ruined. Fast forward to today. I am currently being sued over my tumbler turner by this person from Slovakia. She is claiming that I infringed on her intellectual property rights and copyright under Slovakian law. She has asked the U.S. court to enforce Slovakian laws against me even though I never sold to Slovakia. However, she made claims under U.S. law to have Shopify remove my listings. She lied to Shopify in her copyright infringement reports against me as well. She cannot have a copyright to the turner because it is a machine and not an artistic work, so it cannot be copyrighted. That would be a patent and there isn’t a patent either. She is claiming greater rights than an American citizen within the United States and that is a threat to ALL small businesses. I will continue to fight this on behalf of myself and all small businesses around the country because if she were to somehow win, that would be a very dark day for the owners of small businesses in America. With the continued support of my business and the incredible donations I have received, I will be countersuing because what is happening here, is both ludicrous and dangerous. Anyways, if you made it this far…..thank you. Thank you for reading my story. If you’re able to help at all, I would be so appreciative. If you go to my website and you’d rather buy something from me than make a donation, I’d love to make you something awesome. I do have a NEW and IMPROVED tumbler turner listed for sale on my website. If you or someone you know do blinging, hand painting or 3D sculpting on tumblers, I think you'd love it!
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