Misuse policy

Catawiki is a curated online marketplace built on trust and quality. To protect our community, we might take action if someone misuses our platform – especially if it involves misleading object information, unlawful listings, or behaviour that violates our Terms or community standards.

Key points

• We review each case individually

• We look at seriousness, intent, frequency, impact, and account history

• Not all mistakes lead to enforcement – but repeated or serious ones can

• Actions range from reminders to permanent suspension

How we assess misuse

When we review a case, we consider:

• Seriousness – the risk or harm to users or to Catawiki

• Intent – whether behaviour was intentional, careless, or accidental

• Frequency – whether it’s isolated or part of a pattern

• Impact – effect on buyers, sellers, or marketplace integrity

• Account history – your track record on Catawiki

Examples of misuse

Misleading or unlawful listings

We might review or remove listings that are misleading or don’t meet our standards. This includes incomplete, inaccurate, or potentially unlawful object details. A pattern of problematic listings, or reliable reports from others, can lead to action against your account.

Intellectual property concerns

If an artist, brand, or rights holder reports that their work is listed without permission, we investigate. If the claim is valid, we remove the object and may issue a warning. Repeated or serious issues can lead to permanent removal.

Other prohibited behaviour:

• Fraudulent use of Catawiki

• Manipulating auctions

• Breaching applicable laws or regulations

What happens if action is taken

Depending on the case, we might:

• Send a warning or educational reminder

• Temporarily or permanently suspend your account

• Remove objects or content from the marketplace

We decide what action to take based on the risk, your account history, and the impact of the behaviour.

Reporting misuse

We encourage you to report suspicious or harmful activity in good faith. Misusing the reporting process — for example, by submitting false or unsupported claims — can result in account restrictions.

For more on expected behaviour, visit our Community Guidelines.

Catawiki Misuse Policy

At Catawiki, we are committed to maintaining a safe, authentic, and respectful marketplace. To protect our community, we may take action against misuse of our platform, including violations of our Terms of Use, Community Guidelines, and applicable laws.

How we assess misuse

Each case is carefully reviewed on its own merits. In deciding whether to restrict or suspend an account, we consider several factors, including (but not limited to):

• Severity and platform risk – the potential harm to users or Catawiki.
• User intent – whether the conduct was malicious, negligent, or accidental;
• Frequency/repetition – whether the issue is isolated or recurring;
• Impact on users and platform
• Account history – for example, whether the account is long-established or newly created.

Examples of what can constitute misuse 

Counterfeit objects or fraudulent behaviour

If a seller is found to be listing counterfeit objects and our experts confirm the items are not authentic, Catawiki may investigate further. When patterns of fraudulent behavior are identified, such as multiple objects rejected for suspected counterfeit, the seller’s account can be suspended.

Intellectual property (IP) Infringement

If an artist, brand owner, or rights holder reports that their work is being sold on Catawiki without permission, we will investigate together with our experts. If the claim is valid, the object will be removed from auction immediately. Depending on the circumstances, the seller may receive a warning for a first violation. Repeated or severe infringements can lead to (permanent) suspension.

Duration of suspensions

The duration of any suspension is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the severity of the violation, its impact, and the user’s history. Suspensions may be temporary or permanent depending on the circumstances.

Manifestly unfounded notices

Users are encouraged to submit notices in good faith. Submitting manifestly unfounded notices undermines the trust and safety of our platform. If a user repeatedly submits such notices, we may take enforcement action, including account suspension, following a case-by-case assessment of the situation.

You can find examples of expected behaviour and community standards in our Community Guidelines.