Copying designs? What to do

[Former_Member]

Hi Team,
I noticed that another seller had favorited some of my bracelets a while ago and then months later her shop completely changed and she is selling bracelets and necklaces that look extremely similar to ours. One of my customers even brought it to my attention today.
Normally this wouldn't bother me if the seller had been selling jewelry for a long time-but she was selling floral headbands up until a month ago...
What can you do about this? I know it happens alot, especially in fashion/accessories.
THanks in advance for any advice.

[Former_Member]

I read about this in another thread a few months ago. I remember the conclusion to be that if your work is not copyrighted then you can't do anything about it. I would just take it as a compliment that she admires your work that much!!

[Former_Member]

Yeah! I think that people who don't really know what to sell or where to start will often copy the successful designs they see on ETSY. It's not fun when it's one of yours, but at the same time as April said you can take it as a compliment.
Continue to do what you do best and let the other figure her shop out. If you're happy with what you do, that's what's important! (but I understands it's a bummer).

[Former_Member]

I feel your pain. Someone favorited several of my bracelets and is now making very similar ones with cheap materials. And, to pour salt on the wound, they're selling them for next to nothing.

[hopeandjoyhome]

compliment my patootie! It stinks but there is nothing you can do unless they are stealing you photos too. My advice is don't look and it won't hurt as much. Continue doing your thing and coming up with improvements of your own. If you convo her YOU could be turned in for harassment.

[Former_Member]

BTW--Love your shop. Take the knock offs as a compliment, even though it hurts.

[Former_Member]

Sorry that is happening to you, but I really doubt there is anything you could do about it.

You could send her a message if you wanted and nicely ask about it, but it might just cause more trouble than its worth

[Former_Member]

I agree with everyone...it should be taken as a compliment...but it does DEFINITELY suck! Take solace in the fact that people notice that they are knock-offs and appreciate your original craftsmanship enough to let you know instead of abandoning ship for the other seller. Maybe you can blog about it or something and take the high road (letting people know you are the inspiration and letting the copycats know that they have not gone unnoticed)

[HullStreetStudio]

I've also read about these things happening and someone says it happens to her all the time and what she does is just moves onto something new and amazing so she's always one step ahead!

[Former_Member]

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. That is one of my worst nightmares. Your work is so lovely though, the 'copycat' ones will never have the same flair. I'm not too sure that I would be able to take that kind of thing as a compliment and move on, but I'm sure that it is good advice. I suppose these things are character builders!

[greenyogini]

Yep, it definitely stinks. Stay positive and keep creating new designs. Ditto to what Erica and Jeb said. HUGS!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone! I figured I shouldn't send her a message, just seems unprofessional-but it IS frustrating. As artists we are all influenced by things we admire, but blatant knock offs (that she is selling for way less money) are hard to look at. So yes, I guess I should not look at her shop anymore!

[Former_Member]

There have been a few things I've stopped making because others were selling them so much cheaper that I could not/would not compete with.

[Former_Member]

Let them sell themselves out of business and keep doing your thing. People only copy the good stuff so I suppose you can take it for what you will :) Good luck to you!

[Former_Member]

Just happened to me too:( Good luck. I am trying to forget about it.

[PaperFlora]

I really like your chunky chain bracelet.

[FabulousWire]

For me, no worry.
If your design is really good and you have the better skill, the "cats" will never do as good as you.
I take it as a compliment.
Besides, it's fun to see the "cats" struggle to make couple of sales of the copied items. :)

[Former_Member]

Erica and Jeb from HullStreetGreen says

I've also read about these things happening and someone says it happens to her all the time and what she does is just moves onto something new and amazing so she's always one step ahead!

---------------------------------------------------
I love this advice (from HullStreetGreen)!

And since you stated that the seller in question has just started to make jewelry, maybe...just maybe, she will use this as a platform to improve her talents and also move into something new and something that is uniquely hers. I will agree...it stinks, but like many of the others say, taking it as a compliment is probably the best approach. :)

[Former_Member]

I'd suggest that you ignore the other shop completely.

I've got someone who is 'trying' to copy my butterfly shawls, but is having a terrible time with it. They can't quite get the yarn combinations right or the patterns.

I'm just letting them continue because I know that sooner or later they will find that they've invested so much time..

[Former_Member]

Just like this comment:
Erica and Jeb from HullStreetGreen says
I've also read about these things happening and someone says it happens to her all the time and what she does is just moves onto something new and amazing so she's always one step ahead!

That is exactly what you need to do. Do other designs and be one step ahead. The knock offs REALLY show so feel proud of your hard work.
It's happened to me, not on ETSY (locally in my country) and I just need to always be better at what I do and get a hold of items that you cannot find locally so that I can always be a step ahead! :)

If she hasn't stolen your pics, you can't do anything regarding copyright or anything :(

[Former_Member]

This is amazing:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95609422/gold-metallic-leather-wrap-bracelet-with

Continue your awesome work. Karma works in mysterious ways!