so what are your thoughts on this? I keep coming across t-shirt sites that copy their ideas from other companies, some are more blatant than others. I won't name names but it seems to be the popular thing to do -- ride someone's coattails so long as you don't get busted. I know theft/intellectual property/plagiarism/etc., has been talked about but have any of you ever experienced this first hand? what did you do about it? personally I find it disgusting. it seems that there are plenty of people out there motivated purely by greed and will do anything to make a buck, even if it means stealing their ideas from someone else. whatever happened to creativity and originality?
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Stealing ideas from other websites does not necessarily mean that it will result in increased revenues for the company using those ideas. We have been on the internet for 14 years and several people have tried to use some of our concepts, and even blatantly copied our graphics and text. However, unless they have the technology and funding to implement the functionality that we have created their site usually becomes a non factor as a competitor. It's like two stores having similar attractive storefront windows....when you get inside really determines who your going to buy from based on how well they have merchandised their products.
__________________ www.proworldinc.com - AMAZING $99 15x15 Heat Press Special. Exclusive 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.1000's of Stock Transfer designs. Custom Transfers...plastisol and rhinestone.
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaseousclay
so what are your thoughts on this? I keep coming across t-shirt sites that copy their ideas from other companies, some are more blatant than others. I won't name names but it seems to be the popular thing to do -- ride someone's coattails so long as you don't get busted. I know theft/intellectual property/plagiarism/etc., has been talked about but have any of you ever experienced this first hand? what did you do about it? personally I find it disgusting. it seems that there are plenty of people out there motivated purely by greed and will do anything to make a buck, even if it means stealing their ideas from someone else. whatever happened to creativity and originality?
It's very simple, these thiefs are lazy and lack of originality and creativity. Im a strong believer of KARMA.
Last edited by ambitious; December 20th, 2008 at 12:41 PM.
Reason: caps
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
I visit a lot of companies as a rep and I've seen the same design being printed on two presses on the same day! Dodgy repro houses, designers selling the same design twice, industrial espionage...I could go on. I have been asked to supply cameras so they could wander around stores to pinch ideas. Welcome to the world.
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by proworlded
We have been on the internet for 14 years and several people have tried to use some of our concepts, and even blatantly copied our graphics and text.
that was the case when I came across these 2 different sites. the knockoff site looked like they had copied their image from the good companies site -- the different being that the good site produces quality screen printed garments, whereas the cheap knockoff site was probably using some cafepress type heat press method. the funny part is that neither company owns the rights or has an official license for the t-shirts they're reproducing, so I guess that makes it fair game. either way, it's a pretty crappy thing to see and I hope people research the stuff they buy before they shell out their hard earned dollars.
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Originality is such a challenge! I struggle with that in my designs. There is a fine line between inspiration and plagerism, it seems! I have a lot of respect and a measure of envy for those who dispense originality like a faucet. Intentionally profiting from copying someone elses idea is lame and stupid! If you cant come up with your own ideas GET OUT OF THE SHIRT DESIGN BUSINESS and go sell Used Cars!
__________________ I was going to say something So clever, but I forgot what it was.... WWW.SICBOY.SPREADSHIRT.COM
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Originality. What is it? Not thinking. Don't think to be original, or to do something different. Just do what your mind tells you and just go with it. Your style will be the originality.
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkodarko
Originality. What is it? Not thinking. Don't think to be original, or to do something different. Just do what your mind tells you and just go with it. Your style will be the originality.
That's a tricky one, How do you know your style will be the originality?
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaseousclay
that was the case when I came across these 2 different sites. the knockoff site looked like they had copied their image from the good companies site -- the different being that the good site produces quality screen printed garments, whereas the cheap knockoff site was probably using some cafepress type heat press method. the funny part is that neither company owns the rights or has an official license for the t-shirts they're reproducing, so I guess that makes it fair game. either way, it's a pretty crappy thing to see and I hope people research the stuff they buy before they shell out their hard earned dollars.
For a start i totally disagree with you regards your coments on 'good site produces screen printed garments' other one is some cr@ppy heat transfers'.................. that in my opinion is rubbish your talking right there.... jsut cause something is screen printed doesn't mean its somehow more worthy..... i love using vynil and it comes down to your design skill not how you choose to print your t shirt....
Also to the guy who says he's been going for 14 years with PROWORLD, i followed your link to your site....quick question, you invented the saying ..."i don't need a permit for these guns' with arrows to your arms....?
if you did, well done, but i dont reckon your were the original designer of that..... or the japanese KOI carp Art and design stuff you have.... and did you take the pictures of Obama yourself?
Another thing is this, most of the stuff these g1mps copy is hardly high Art anyway and is throw away tat.... 'i'm with stupid' wow really helping change the world that one, let these cr@p websites do this all day, and i'll stick to my own Art thanks...not worht your worry.
Last edited by Girlzndollz; December 23rd, 2008 at 08:15 AM.
Reason: Fixed typo on: 'websites'. Any questions, please contact me via PM. Thx, Kelly =)
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Sorry PROWORLD, but some of your stuff is just same old same old.... can't beleive you invented all those 'amazing' t shirt 'designs'.......... sites like that are the McDonalds of the T Shirt world.... t shirts about (vulgar sayings, editted for appropriateness) etc have no Artistic worth anyway...
Last edited by Girlzndollz; December 23rd, 2008 at 08:18 AM.
Reason: Removed vulgar comments used for examples. Any questions, please contact me via PM. Thx, Kelly
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by JO53PH
For a start i totally disagree with you regards your coments on 'good site produces screen printed garments' other one is some cr@ppy heat transfers'.................. that in my opinion is rubbish your talking right there.... jsut cause something is screen printed doesn't mean its somehow more worthy..... i love using vynil and it comes down to your design skill not how you choose to print your t shirt....
Many would agree with you, Joe. Although screen printing is highly regarded by many on the forum, and in the public eye, as the industry standard, other processes have made great strides and equal the quality and can surpass the quality of screen printing if the screening was not up to snuff. In time, other processes may gain a more widely held high reputation they deserve.
There are threads on the forum relating to the quality of Cafe Press. That may be what the poster is refering to when making that comment. Some folks find the quality of a Cafe Press shirt lacking in quality. The original comment may have been more directed at CP, than the heat transfer process in general.
Quote:
Also to the guy who says he's been going for 14 years with PROWORLD, i followed your link to your site....quick question, you invented the saying ..."i don't need a permit for these guns' with arrows to your arms....?
From what I understand, Proworld holds licenses to many transfer designs, so that individual people do not have to. This saves their customers alot of money and time by allowing them to be able to buy copyrighted/trademarked images, without the time and expense of licensing themselves.
This may explain why you see the same images available on Proworld also available on other sites. Proworld is a supplier of these images, and you may be visiting their customer's sites.
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if you did, well done, but i dont reckon your were the original designer of that..... or the japanese KOI carp Art and design stuff you have.... and did you take the pictures of Obama yourself?
If I am wrong, I hope someone corrects me, but Obama is a public figure and therefore in the public domain. Discussions on this stuff usually end up in confusion, since none of us are lawyers (that I know of!), but some of this stuff is easier, and political figure is one of the easier ones, it's allowed.
Ed/Proworlded can explain more as to *why* his transfers are legal and not copied, as it is factual information about his products, and he can explain a whole lot better than I can.
Quote:
Another thing is this, most of the stuff these g1mps copy is hardly high Art anyway and is throw away tat.... 'i'm with stupid' wow really helping change the world that one, let these cr@p websites do this all day, and i'll stick to my own Art thanks...not worht your worry.
You're entitled to your feelings, Joe and many, many people feel the same way. On the other hand, if the first "I'm with stupid" shirt didn't sell, others wouldn't have followed.
If there is a market for a saying, someone should supply it. That is still good business basics. It may not be your thing, but when you see the dude wearing the shirt, you know it's 'his' thing.
Hope you have a good holiday... and good luck to everyone in the new year.
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaseousclay
I know theft/intellectual property/plagiarism/etc., has been talked about but have any of you ever experienced this first hand? what did you do about it?
From what I can see re-reading the original post, I believe the question being posed is highlighted above. If anyone has any firsthand experience with this, will you please share what you did about it?
(Please try stay on topic. There are other threads on the act of copying and people's views on the act itself, but this question is a little different. Thanks.)
I have a thread to add about what someone did when their site was copied:
I thought that was a good thread, it takes you along what happens for him. He sends a thing to have the other site shut down. Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.
This is a discussion about companies that copy their ideas from other sites that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
companies that copy their ideas from other sites 
Re: companies that copy their ideas from other sites 
), but some of this stuff is easier, and political figure is one of the easier ones, it's allowed. 
