I guess there's nothing you can do except see it as flattery. It's such a shame that people who are obviously artistic and talented can't come up with their own ideas and concepts. I could never copy someone. It's really ruined my day to be honest. Must stay positive and see it as inspiration to come up with new and better ideas and products. On that note, here are some new 'I love you more than...' card designs...
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13 comments:
That's terrible! I guess it doesn't apply so much to me because I only sell photographs and I always watermark them, but it's different if someone is physically making very similar designs to you. I guess the only thing you can do is be flattered and hope that your buyers are loyal to you :)
On another note, I LOVE that Twitter card and may be buying a couple!
I know they say that imitation is the best form of flattery, but in this case, I think not. But, I actually feel bad for people that don't have the ability to come up with their own ideas. Try to let it pass, because there probably isn't a whole lot you can do. If you have a good customer base, they will remain loyal just for your exceptional customer service.
Soemone who steals designs probably isn't going to be all that great in the customer service dept., so you already have that edge.
How annoying for you.
Perhaps a polite little message to them would help.
I know of someone who had just this problem and that is what she did.
Thanks for all your nice messages. I am a bit more positive about it all today. I obviously have a big fan out there!
Like you say the person can't have any imagnation or ideas. It can't be so fun to create and make things when you know you are copying someone else's work either.
I have lots of lovely customers and I love what I do so they're the main things :)
Hope you've all had nice weekends!
Copycats are people who have no original thoughts of their own. They are to pitied:)
Storey, I found a link that you might find interesting...
http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/2009/09/18/help-someones-copying-me/
And check out this entire blog about incidents similar to yours...
http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/
I know it's not easy... I am waiting until someone decides to do what I do, too... Doing theatre, I'm trained to "borrow" good ideas, but it is always necessary to "repackage" and torque them around to fit what I need them to do... In the end, one never really copies the original idea, but uses it as inspiration for their own. It is sad to see that others can't be inspired but can only replicate.
Perhaps, the ultimate "revenge" is to find an extension/variation/exploration of your work that brings back that unique, singular, special feeling of personal expression and satisfaction. It's very validating to go back and do things for one's self, simply for the sake of nourishing the soul. It helps to create a clean break from feeling used, and creates a new fork in the road of your creativity that you can travel down that is all your own. : )
I think you should all consider the soldiers that are fighting at war and ask your self is it really that important? I didnt think so!
Yes, I think it is that important, Misshappy... If we aren't out here debating, creating, refining, and generally inventing the very culture they're over there defending, then what's the point?
Personally, I feel it's our duty as craftspeople and artisans to be working diligently on contributing somehow to our betterment as human beings, debating ideas, expanding our artistic awareness, and sharing our joyful expressions with others. If they're going to go over there and fight for anything worth fighting for, we need to be doing our part.
And lamenting our losses, celebrating our triumphs, sharing our diverse creativity, and discussing our issues is exactly what we need to be doing (and more so) to make the sacrifices in this war worth the sad and terrible cost...
It is important to me, yes.
I wasn't drawing comparisons to war but if we can't ever comment on or draw from the experiences in our own lives because people are fighting in wars then where does that get us?
Oh no. The issues of copyright are doozies indeed. Although I do think making some proactive communication with the copiers would be a good start. I attended a lecture recently on dealing with such issues and it seems there is a whole psychology involved (at least on one level). You should let them know you are on to them.
Not sure this will help at all (um, wrong country), but here's my post way back then...
http://www.myrtleandeunice.com/2009/05/untangling-copyright.html
Please don't post about the actual shop in question as that is unprofessional on my part and wasn't the intention with my blog post at all :)
Your cards are so awesome it's sad to think someone is copying them and can't be original enough to come up with their own product design. I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery but I must say I'll be very upset the day someone copies my designs.
Ohhh wow - these are FANTASTIC!
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