[chance]

So I have some softball designs that I have sent out to local sports teams. These were just some general designs.

Well I was walking around a while back and saw a girl wearing a shirt that we did not print, but the design was almost identical.

What can I do about this? How much to people have to change a design to get by with copying someone's work.

Thanks

 

[binki]

So I have some softball designs that I have sent out to local sports teams. These were just some general designs.

Well I was walking around a while back and saw a girl wearing a shirt that we did not print, but the design was almost identical.

What can I do about this? How much to people have to change a design to get by with copying someone's work.

Thanks

C/D letter and a demand for damages and destruction of all property that has your design on it. Lawsuit after that.

You have to be prepared to go after whomever copies your work.

Did you just send out artwork hoping to get jobs? What is the background? Did you talk to them at all?

 

[Resu]

Next time watermark your work with a direct and lengthy statement such as:

"For Review Purposes Only!! No Duplication and/or Reproduction In Whole or Part Is Allowed"
Contact: [email protected]

Unless you did some next level, ain't never been seen design, I wouldn't waste the energy trying to hunt down the culprit(s). Who's no to say they (local team's rep) trashed your offerings and someone dumpster dived?

Charge it to the game. Also look into copyrighting your original works. If the process is similar to music then you can save money by submitting multiple designs under one body of work. Don't quote me though.

Good luck.

 

[kimura-mma]

What can I do about this?

As binki mentioned, you can send a C&D and try to claim damages.

How much to people have to change a design to get by with copying someone's work.

There is no specific definition within copyright law. If someone is copying your work, you should take action. But it also depends on how original and distinctive your work is. If it's a generic softball design, you may not have much of a case.

 

[atomicaxe]

Good luck trying to stop it ... you put your work out there ... some one will steal it eventually. Unless you plan on paying a small fortune to try to get restitution ... sending a c&d to the team and the company that printed them is all you really can do and most lawyers that specialize in copyright law have retainer fees for this stuff. Not cheap either but may be worth it. Really though, your best bet is making your proofs and things you send out harder to steal ... compress images, send lower res files, watermark images, etc. etc. etc. Include terms including the ussual "All artwork copyright by blah blah blah" and "unauthorized use blah blah blah" oh an don't forget the "if used without consent, a (insert amount) art fee will be billed to the client ... blah blah blah" ... but all that will do a hills worth of beans because again, unless you want to pay A LOT of money to have a lawyer fight for your rights ... not a lot you can do. Limit your exposure, do better work ... don't take it personal ... people who can't create ... steal and will never do better in life.

 

[Skinbus]

Watermark, watermark, watermark! Some say they can beat it anyway but how many will take the time & effort?

 

[treefox2118]

100% of my designs online are free for people to copy and sell for themselves, without paying me anything or even mentioning it to me. If I find someone selling my design, I actually will link to them from my site and offer my customers a choice. I'm not kidding.

The fact is, the more time you spend worrying about this stuff, the less time you spend being positive and working on new designs.

I've been selling creative work for over 20 years. I've had hundreds of designs, blog articles, and photos "taken" by others, freely, and it has never hurt me. Because I keep working on new things.

The time someone can spend to copy you is time they wasted creating something unique.

 

[ShirlandDesign]

I did a pad print design (14 colors, 23 passes) for a competition back in...92. Ran across it digitized for embroidery on a free site last year. I know that this is a little off topic, but it seemed related, and it kind of tickled me to see it still around after so many years. Most knock offs are weak, the vitality of creating something fresh usually shows. If it was a straight up copy, besides threatening legal action, go to work on their reputation, you would just be telling the truth.

 

[limey]

Look at your designs and ask yourself do I believe I will be selling large volumes of this.
If the answer is no then let it go and keep designing, if the answer is yes, then spend the $35 (think that's the online electronic rate) and copyright it at the front end.If a team wants it on their shirts then add an agreement upfront that you own the design and is copyrighted and you actively pursue infringement.
Then you decide when this happens what your next move is.It cost money to sue and is not much point in doing so if all they own is the latest I phone and nothing else.
C & D notices normally shakes the trees.

Sean

 

[limey]

Treefox/Brians post above is fantastic , couldnt agree more, while they are copying movre on like the clothing designers do and create the next thing, uniqueness will set you apart from the followers.
Thats why I am weird, it sets me apart.

 

[PiratePrinting]

I have ran into this over the years. Frustrating but it is what it is. I designed a logo for the local police and they had it printed by a competitor. So.... I called the police. Ha Busted.
The best thing to do is own your art. We don't charge for art and let the customers know that we own it.


Good luck!
The Pirates

 

[miktoxic]

most of uniform layout is general industry standard stuff.

unless you are doing some type of fancy custom script number and name i doubt if a judge would even look at a case like this. i mean plastisol transfer companies 1-100 probably have the same block numbers and letters sold at different styles at the same cost, with custom configs at no xtra cost.

copyrighting or TMing your brand/logo is a different thing. but trying to say your letters and numbers are different from everything else that is available from every vendor is not going to fly as original.

 

[Skibanez]

x2 Treefox, great response

 

[Blackroot]

I couldn't tell you how many of my designs have been copied by someone else. I look at it as flattery, they liked it so much, they had to have it. Also, while someone else is busy ripping off my work, I am busy creating new designs. My stuff is never stale, always new and always fresh. When someone rips me off, they are always behind. It's not much consolation, but it helps me keep things in perspective.