May 27, 2009

Identity Theft

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This is to all of you professionals out there (or, heck, even those who do this for fun but still deserve credit for it):





What have you done when another event company has blatantly used your photos on their own website and not given you credit for them? Clearly this is an attempt to pass the work off as theirs and not yours and is about 31 Flavors of WRONG.

Curious to hear what you've done in this case. Email me if you'd prefer to discuss that way.

I am ALL for being an inspiration to any of you that want to recreate the things you see here. That is what this blog is all about. I'm more than happy to be featured on your blogs and sites when proper credit is given. That is a real joy!

I am not for someone taking credit for something they did not do. A professional in "business for 10 years" no less. You know who you are. I hope you can all tell how laid-back and easy going I am from this blog. I really don't want to call you out so I highly encourage you to remove my pictures from your portfolio immediately as I requested.
Carry on.

16 comments:

MerciBlahBlah said...

Go on witcho bad self, mama. You know I am behind you 100% and ready to road trip to you-know-where if we need to.
- Shaaaaannnnn

Unknown said...

I had a client start her own party company after I threw her daughter a princess party. She even had the nerve to call the princess party "Pampered Princess Party". Are you kidding me?? I emailed her a nice note about how I am flattered that our party inspired her to start her own company (I really didn't fault her for that). BUT using my name...have some creativity! Best of luck!!!

Unknown said...

Hey, I also wanted to send you a tip from my web-hosting forum about what they did when they faced this problem. After you've contacted the copyright infringer, and they still won't comply...
#1 Send them a cease and disist letter (google this)
#2 Contact their ISP and let them know about the copyright infringement.
Hope that helps!

Kira Franz-Knight said...

amy...so sorry to hear about the swiping! AND I just wanted to give back the blog love...thanks soooo much for your comments today! I've gotten calls from several friends (on both baseball teams :) and they say YOU ROCK WOMAN!!!!

Butterfly Wishes LLC said...

You tell 'em girl!! ;)

Kim - The TomKat Studio said...

I wrote a post like this right after I opened my shop and someone completely copied the products I was making. I ended up deleting the post...but I was FUMING! I went as far as to create a photo collage of my items vs. her items to post along with the angry words. I decided to ignore it and once in awhile I check her shop...she never sells anything. hee! hee! kharma...it's a b$*#$!

Natalia said...

Wowza!!!
You are too nice. It has happened to me but not to this degree(yet). A gal had pics of my stuff and was actually giving credit to another gal for it?! I stumbled upon it by accident but quickly sent her an e-mail to let her know. She apologized and made the correcion immediately.

HOWEVER, someone in the industry?!!!are you kidding me.

Amy, if she doen't do it please, PLEASE call her out.
We got your back girl!

Setting the Mood said...

You are one of the most generous bloggers out there!! I can't believe someone would take advantage without giving the proper credit. I hope they make this right and that you still keep sharing your great ideas!

Risa said...

I'd call them up personally as a customer and meet up with them and then tell them who you are and slap them with some sort of lawyer letter! What would they say to you in person?

Kim - The TomKat Studio said...

I had to come back to this post. Another party products girl emailed me this morning to tell me about a new post on a party blog, in which the hostess completely copied my products. It's one thing to be inspired by ideas and to create them for your own party, but when broadcasting to the world, isn't it common courtesy to give CREDIT when CREDIT is due??

This isn't as bad as someone stealing your photos and pawning them off as their own, but it is all giving credit!

Tish B. said...

I'm sorry to hear that. I guess these people don't realize they will be caught sooner or later...especially on the web!

Joanne said...

So sorry to hear that. And yes, pls. call out the name.

Unknown said...

Ugh,
I just read this and I'm having a similar problem with a lady who bought my favor boxes, used them in a photo shoot with her cookies then is offering them for sale (my boxes). She doesn't even have the pride to make her own boxes! Then she went onto Etsy with a different name and is copying my other items. UGH!
Disgusting.
Thanks for letting me vent:)

Amy said...

Wow, all these posts are really bumming me out. I think the beauty of sharing in the blog world is to help people with ideas but you don't want people to do it exactly as you did it. And to use your photograph as if it's their own - what? I just launched my own blog and I put up a Creative Commons license link - you should add it - makes you a little more legal, but I'm guessing some people are just shameless. Good luck! http://www.creativecommos.org

Jess said...

OMG...I've been slacking a bit on reading my fav blogs, but as I'm catching up tonight I have to comment on this. I have even removed myself from Etsy because of all the copycat shops that are popping up. At first it totally infuriated me to the point I couldn't think. I am "over it" mostly now, as I too did have the intent to be inspiration for others as well, but then to just completely rip something off with no credit completely stinks. My husband told me "Target and Walmart continue to rip Pottery Barn off, too, but PB is doing JUST FINE for itself." You go, Pottery Barn girl. :)

Anonymous said...

I just love your blog - such a bummer that people are so ruthless and taking your actual pictures! Certain party ideas I can understand - I mean, as creative as we all are, I bet that even our most fab ideas have been done somewhere before.

As for copycak Etsy shops - same idea there! No matter what a certain shop specialized in, I bet someone else was doing it first. It's not like you single handedly invented the necklace/grocery bag/ birthday party/etc etc. I just try not to get to wrapped up in it and carry on!