Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Most of the members here post designs to be reviewed.
I don't think no one here can guarantee your design will not be stolen, this is a public site, where non members can see the forum too.
For your peace of mind you could protect your work before posting it in a public forum
With all that said, I would not be worried.
__________________
As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
This site has over 60,000 members, some of whom are dodgy. So we can't guarantee anything.
A few things to bear in mind though:
-The site/design review section (where you would post) isn't indexed by Google, only logged in members can see it
-The actual number of people who will see the thread is considerably less than 60,000.
-You're going to have to show them some time to sell them, and the sooner you start the sooner you can get feedback (feedback before spending money can be useful)
-Your designs are copyrighted from the moment they're put in fixed form (i.e. when you design them), they're just not registered for copyright. If you register within three months of creating the design, you get the same benefits as if you'd registered it straight away (from copyright.gov: "If registration is made within three months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.") Which means if the designs are new, and someone copied them, you could still register the copyright and sue them with full effect.
-Pirates already have Threadless, T-shirt Hell, Busted Tees, etc. to steal from. They tend to steal proven designs. If they knew what kind of original work sold, they'd be less likely to be stealing.
-If you're that concerned, just register them
Personally I think worrying about design theft is a waste of time. But as I said, there are no guarantees (here or anywhere). Some people would recommend watermarking your images to at least make them harder to copy. Personally I think it's unprofessional, but many people would beg to differ.
As a side note, theft paranoia is 100 points on the "spot the newbie" scale. Not really relevant posting around here (since it's fine to be a newbie), but something to bear in mind if you're in a situation where impressions are more important.
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Thanks Lewis, I forgot about the fact that only members can see the site/design review section.
Even if you watermark your design, the idea can be stolen.
So I would not worry at all, and if someone copies my design and start making money out of it, it means I have at least one "stealable" design !!!
__________________
As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Lewis, in what you posted it say "or prior to an infringement of the work." Doesn't that sound like it means it has to be registered prior to an infringement for the full benefits? Yet it say to collect the attorney fees, etc. Why mention collecting the fees unless it's been infringed within the 3 months of publication, and on the same note, why add or prior to infringement? Seems like a catch 22. What do you see?
Joshua, even if you register your work for the official copyright and post it here, that won't stop someone from stealing it. Anyone can steal your work at any time. It will be your job to sue them in a court of law to stop them from doing that, and maintaining your copyright. If you don't defend it, you may lose it. If you click the link to the copyright.gov site on the left, you can read more on copyright, and what protection and rights it gives you. Having the official copyright filed gives you a strong legal leg to stand on, makes it tough to dispute your claim. Does that make sense?
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Girlzndollz
Lewis, in what you posted it say "or prior to an infringement of the work." Doesn't that sound like it means it has to be registered prior to an infringement for the full benefits?
No, hence or prior, not and prior. It can be one or the other.
The three months allows some time for the creator of the work to actually get around to filing the paper work, and presumably processing time from their end.
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Girlzndollz
Anyone can steal your work at any time. It will be your job to sue them in a court of law to stop them from doing that, and maintaining your copyright.
Whole problem with copyright, is that it is impossible to know whether your designs
actually already exist out there. The world is a big place.
Taking someone to court is OK in principle, but if that breach of copyright exists in another country, or someone claims theirs was in existence before yours, that is not such an easy path to take. If you lose that case, it could cost you thousands, just for the sake of a drawing on a tee.
The only true way you can ever stop people lifting your designs, is to lock them away in a safe as soon as you've finished them. The reality is that most gangs target recognised brands to copy, as that's where the money lies.
Re: I would like to get some imput on my designs, but they are not copyrighted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DREAMGLASS
The only true way you can ever stop people lifting your designs, is to lock them away in a safe as soon as you've finished them.
Yep. That's right. I see alot of folks feel bulletproof with a copyright. It's more like bulletproof with a copyright and wads of cash to go to court with, and that's not even a guarentee. There are folks on here with copyright stories that make my mind melt, because things didn't go down the way they were supposed to. One fellow here has a copyright, and his city was allowed to also copyright his original design. There are 2 copyrights on the same design.
Re: I would like to get some input on my designs, but they are not copyrighted. Should I worry about posting my designs here?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkruse
The person with the bigger stick always wins.
I totally agree with you, big corporations with lots of lawyers
have bigger chances than the little guy. This is an interesting story, where the little guy won, at least for now.
__________________
As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
Re: I would like to get some input on my designs, but they are not copyrighted. Should I worry about posting my designs here?
If you can't post your designs here, you can't post them anywhere. If you have designs and want to sell them you need to show them. But a fact is, if your designs get seen online, you have to take the risk that somebody could steal it.
This is a discussion about I would like to get some input on my designs, but they are not copyrighted. Should I worry about posting my designs here? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
I would like to get some input on my designs, but they are not copyrighted. Should I worry about posting my designs here? 
