Horror Story #1: “Just Pay the $3,000 and Move On” 🤦‍♂️

This real post from an eBay community thread perfectly captures the fear, confusion, and frustration that small online sellers experience after being hit with a Schedule A Defendant™ trademark lawsuit.

The seller, based in Europe, received a legal threat from BIGFOOT 4x4, Inc. through the U.S. District Court in Illinois. Despite believing his product didn’t violate any trademarks, he was offered a $3,000 settlement to avoid further action. His PayPal account wasn’t frozen (yet), and no formal judgment had been made—but the fear of losing everything loomed large.

Instead of support, the replies he got from the eBay community were full of defeatist advice like:

• “You can’t prove you’re innocent without a license.”

• “Just pay the $3,000.”

• “Going to court will cost far more.”

What most sellers don’t realize is this:
🛑 There often isn’t a valid legal case.
🛑 No evidence of willful infringement is needed to scare you into settling.
🛑 They’re counting on you being too afraid to fight back.

In many cases like this, a proper legal response can get your name removed from the lawsuit without paying a dime. But the fear machine is powerful—and that’s what these horror stories are here to expose.

Scroll down to view the screenshots from the thread, complete with highlighted parts and notes pointing out how sellers are pressured into settlements they may not legally owe.