Small businesses should never trust Shopify.

[Edu_Pedrosa]

I have been a long-time fan and user of Shopify, but my worst fear happened: my Shopify store was abruptly shut down without any proper warning. The reason was a copyright claim because I transferred some customized theme files from a store I used for development to a new store I use for production.

I fully acknowledge the seriousness of a copyright infringement claim. However, Shopify, like most big tech companies, shows little regard for the merchants that depend on the platform for their main income. If there is any minor suspicion, like a single image copyright infringement, they can and will shut you down immediately with no proper warning.

I understand that Shopify's main priority is legal compliance, and I understand many merchants are maliciously violating Shopify policies, but small businesses that have used the platform for years and depend on it for a living should at least receive a proper warning and a chance to defend themselves before a shutdown. Less drastic measures could also be taken, such as shutting down only the theme associated with the copyright claim rather than the entire store. And once the necessary actions to address the copyright claim are taken, Shopify should prioritize the reinstatement of the store with the same urgency with which they take it down.  However, this is not the case. They will keep your store shut down for an indefinite time, totally careless with the many families that depend on their Shopify stores to pay their bills.

So, if you are a happy Shopify user like I used to be, keep in mind that someday you might wake up to find your store shut down, even if the copyright claim is false. Shopify would rather shut down your store than investigate or give you a proper opportunity to defend yourself, especially if you are a small merchant in a developing country like me.

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Edu_Pedrosa 

I’m sorry to hear about your experience, and I completely understand your frustration. It’s tough when a platform you’ve invested so much time, effort, and resources into feels like it’s working against you. Let’s break down this situation and offer some clarity for others who might face similar challenges.

Shopify’s Copyright Policy and Shutdown Procedures

1-Why Shopify Takes Immediate Action
Shopify enforces strict copyright and intellectual property compliance because they are legally obligated to protect themselves and their merchants. Unfortunately, their policies tend to prioritize swift action (such as suspensions) to minimize risk, which can feel harsh, especially for smaller businesses.

2-No Warning Before Store Suspension
Shopify typically responds to copyright claims by disabling the store or specific features without warning. This is to avoid potential liability. While it’s within their rights, the lack of a warning or chance to rectify the issue beforehand is a major pain point for many merchants.

3-How to Handle a Shutdown
If your store is suspended:

• Contact Shopify Support Immediately: Open a case via their support portal and ask for clarification and next steps.
• Resolve the Copyright Issue: If it’s related to a theme or content, immediately remove the flagged material and gather proof of compliance (e.g., proof of theme purchase, licensing agreements, etc.).
• Request Reinstatement: Once you’ve fixed the issue, submit the necessary documentation to Shopify and follow up persistently.

Suggestions for Merchants

To reduce the risk of abrupt store shutdowns in the future:

• Use Licensed Themes and Content: Always use verified, licensed themes and assets. Keep receipts and licensing agreements handy.
• Back Up Your Store Regularly: Use apps or manual methods to back up your store content so you can quickly restore it if needed.
• Separate Development and Production Stores: Avoid transferring files directly from a development store to a live store without ensuring all files are compliant.
• Review Shopify’s Policies: Familiarize yourself with Shopify's copyright policies and guidelines to avoid unintentional violations.

My Take on Shopify’s Approach

I personally believe Shopify should adopt a more merchant-friendly approach, especially for long-term users. A warning system or a phased response (like temporarily disabling specific content rather than the entire store) would be fairer and less disruptive. Additionally, their response time for reinstatement needs improvement—merchants’ livelihoods shouldn’t be left in limbo.

Final Thoughts

While Shopify is a robust platform for eCommerce, incidents like this highlight its limitations for small businesses. If you’re concerned, you might consider diversifying your sales channels (e.g., selling on Etsy, Amazon, or a self-hosted platform like WooCommerce) to avoid dependency on any one platform.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply and I will try my best to respond.
Best regards,
Daisy