Thursday, September 16, 2010

Flattery or Rip Off?


For years, I've read tales of woe in the Etsy forums about designs for everything from jewelry to tote bags being stolen, copied, ripped off. But I never thought it would happen to me…

A couple of nights ago, I was searching around Etsy and found this:



Terrible picture but a complete copy of my Peacocks Pride Handmade Chain Necklace , that I listed August 7. The colors are the same and the size of jump rings, small colored ones connected with the larger silver, just can't be a coincidence.



So, should I be flattered or angry? If this person had been influenced by my design, why didn't she use different colors or make the design her own in some way? We're all influenced by what's around us but if she considers herself to be a jewelry designer, she's got a lot to learn about making a design unique to herself.

Legally, there isn't a whole lot I can do. She has copied some other designer's work as well but none of it is copyrighted. I may write to her and let her know that what she's doing is ethically not cool. If she's going to use someone else's work as a base, at least add her own touch and make it different. The fact that mine is a necklace and hers is an anklet is not "different" enough. If you're going to be a "designer", then design!

End of rant…

Do What You Love~But Make It Your Own!

2 comments:

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Best said. As I venture into the designing field, I have started building a website and hope no one does this to me. Designing is personal and a lot of hard work. Shame on those who copy.

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Fortunately, your necklace is a LOT prettier than hers AND your photo is lightyears better! She might not understand that you can't just copy another person's designs or she might not care. Either way, I believe, Karma will step in at some point in her career.