Don't get left out in the cold! Lauren aka stellaloella and the Community Team at Etsy have this important installment of the  All about Etsy FAQ Series to share with you — especially newbie — Etsians! Etsy, over the company's short lifespan (two and a half years young!), has developed rules and guidelines that have helped the community and marketplace run smoothly. Often times the rules and guidelines are picked up informally, by getting a hang of things around the forums and asking questions. Here, Lauren addresses some of those most frequently asked questions.

One thing we hear occasionally from new members is that they don't know what the rules are or where to find them. In this article, we'll try to explain the differences in the policy documents on Etsy, remind you where to find them, and let you know who to ask if you're not sure about a rule. 

What are all the different policy documents on Etsy?
We have a few different pages that detail site policies: the Terms of Use, the DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy, the Privacy Policy and the Copyright Policy. It's important that every member reads and understands the rules before they join Etsy.

What is the Terms of Use document?
The Terms of Use is the legal document all members must read and agree to when registering to become a member of Etsy. Being a legal document, it's written in the ancient language of Lawyerish. It outlines all the legal terms for using the site, from membership eligibility to Etsy's use of member-submitted content to explaining Etsy's role as a venue (not a retailer) to a whole lot of other things. The ToU also refers to the other Etsy policy documents. By agreeing to the ToU, you agree to all of Etsy's policies by proxy.

I read the Terms of Use when I signed up, but where is it in case I want to read it again? What about these other policies?
You can find the Terms of Use linked in the site footer at the bottom of every page on the site, and also in the Help section. In fact, all of Etsy's site policies can be found in the Help section.

What are the DOs & DON'Ts?
The DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy explain in greater detail all the rules for using features on the site, including buying and selling. The D&D were written to explain things in a more easily digestible format by breaking down the complexities of Etsy into a series of "Do" or "Don't" statements. It's vital that every Etsy member reads these rules and knows what they can and cannot do on the site. Each section of the D&D also outlines what the consequences are for breaking a rule.

What is the Privacy Policy?
This document explains how we protect the personal information you provide us with in your account information. Important tip for sellers: The Privacy Policy explains how and when you can use the information Etsy provides you about your buyers from transactions. Make sure you read it!

What is the Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy?
This page explains what to do in the event you believe an Etsy member is infringing upon your intellectual property rights (like copyright and trademarks). Etsy's Copyright Policy complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. We also have a Copyright FAQ page to help educate members about their IP rights.

What happens if a rule is broken?
Well, that depends on which rule it was. The DOs & DON'Ts outline the consequences for breaking different rules under each section. Sometimes it's as simple as Etsy staff contacting a user to ask them to correct something. Other times breaking a rule can lead to suspension of certain privileges or full account termination.

Where are the rules about what can be sold on Etsy?
These rules can be found in the DOs & DON'Ts under the Selling section.

What if I have specific question about the rules, something I don't understand?
Please email support@etsy.com with your questions, and we'll be happy to help you.

What should I do if I see something on Etsy that is a violation of a rule?
Please email abuse@etsy.com with as much detail as possible. We will look into it and take the appropriate action.

You may also be interested in Rob aka Rokali's Ironing-board Chat (a podcast where he answered a lot of thought-provoking questions about Etsy). See all posts in the All about Etsy FAQ Series.