KSP Retailer Replaces Competitors' Product Images With Its Own Ads

Israeli online retailer KSP has retaliated against competing websites it accuses of using its content and servers without permission by embedding its own advertisements onto their product pages. KSP noticed unusual server load, prompting an investigation that revealed several major competitors, including Lior Electrical Products, Bug, MASHBIR HASHMAL, Shkufnik Electric, HighTechZone, Walla Shops, and BDK, were allegedly pulling product descriptions and images directly from KSP's servers.

KSP claims this practice constitutes copyright infringement and places an undue burden on its servers. The company employs a 20-person content department that translates international brand information, processes images, and creates product videos. KSP asserts that competitors are essentially saving costs by repurposing this original content. In response, KSP's IT department has instructed that any unapproved site using its content will display a KSP advertisement instead of the product image, featuring the slogan, "We also choose to buy only at KSP."

Beyond this digital counter-attack, KSP's legal team has prepared cease-and-desist letters alleging copyright infringement. These letters claim that competitor product pages are near-identical copies of KSP's pages, from visual layout and image selection to product descriptions and technical specifications. KSP is also preparing to sue Lior Electrical Products for NIS 700,000 in the Haifa District Court, citing extensive and systematic content copying, intellectual property theft, copyright violation, and unjust enrichment. KSP argues it invests heavily in content creation, while Lior Electrical Products allegedly benefits without authorization.

KSP is seeking NIS 100,000 in damages per infringement, citing 14 separate instances, which would total NIS 1.4 million, though they are suing for NIS 700,000 due to court fee limitations. They also requested the court order the defendant to cease using KSP's servers and pay legal costs. This is not the first time KSP has faced such issues; a previous court ruling ordered Electra Consumer Products to pay KSP NIS 50,000 for similar content theft.

Lior Electrical Products' owner declined to comment. MASHBIR HASHMAL and HighTechZone also chose not to respond. Bug stated that the issue involved about 32 products out of tens of thousands on their site. They suggested KSP's move to contact the media before a formal inquiry was a calculated attempt to gain headlines. Bug claims they use images and text provided by importers, and that hosting these materials on KSP's servers does not grant KSP ownership. Bug has replaced the images with original manufacturer images stored on their own servers and claims the text matches English content from Best Buy and a Lenovo document, questioning KSP's claim to originality. Bug urged KSP to clarify its original content claims and invest in customer service.