Copy-cats

[granniepanties]

I was looking through the cross-stitch listings earlier and I found someone copying WeeLittleStitches's style, alphabet, and her listing's descriptions word-for-word.

It made me think that we should all be looking through the cross stitch listings on a regular basis. Scanning for copy-cats of our own work AND other's work as well that we admire and can recognize.

[Former_Member]

Oh boy. I really don't understand the mindset of people who blatantly copy stuff and claim the work as their own. I try not to go anywhere near the style or genre being used by another stitchery shop. There was a pillow that I made and sold using a pattern I made myself but there is another shop with a similar pattern available and there's no way I would ever offer up my pattern to compete. There's a whole wide world out there to be inspired by. Copycat = Douche Canoe (Credit to The Bloggess for my new favorite phrase) If I ever do anything too similar to anybody else, I hope somebody will smack me.

[Former_Member]

I try to think up my own ideas, but obviously I'm totally inspired by pop culture and the interwebs, so there's likely always going to be someone else who's also making similar themes. BUT I'd never purposely copycat (or douchecanoe) someone else's pattern.

I also have thought about spending time online (not just on etsy) protecting my patterns, but frankly I'd rather spend that time creating. I have let friends know when I saw their stuff being stolen, but I don't go looking for it, if that makes sense.

I've never (as far as I know) had my designs stolen by another shop (although I have had my listing descriptions and policies copied word for word). I'm sure I'd be hopping mad if I found out about it.

I don't really know what my point is...
I guess it's that I agree with NeedleNosey-- I'd like to know if I overstep the line (unintentionally, of course), and I'd appreciate a head's up if someone's "stealing" my work as well.

[granniepanties]

i think, for the most part, that we do a pretty good job of not stepping on each others' toes.

[Former_Member]

I think, because we're all inspired from the same sources, there's always going to be a little overlap. I usually do a little bit of searching before something goes from my "to-do" list into my editor. I try to save myself time and heartache.

It's still hard sometimes. I made a pattern and wad shocked it hadn't been done before, so I listed it. Three months later, it appears someone DID, and just had their store temporarily closed for a while, lol. It happens.

That being said, I did come across someone's store... a little of katiekuthroat, weelittlestitches and even Steoch. It was just SO brazen, and there's no real way to stop it (much like the pattern lifters who think a few bucks isn't worth it when they can spend a couple of days breaking down an image and stealing it).

Just know that they're in it for the quick buck and will probably burn out as quickly as they went pillaging, lol

I used to search regularly for my pilfered stuff. Once I got over my brain exploding, I decided it wasn't worth the heartache.

[Former_Member]

Totally agree that 99.5% of us are completely sane and reasonable about doing our own thing while at least being aware of what is going on around us. We're human beings. I think we're all willing to give a pass to the occasional "whoops" should one happen. Such a bummer that 0.5% have had surgical removal of their conscience. I just hope they catch a nice case of karma cooties.

[Former_Member]

I like the phrase "karma cooties"

[NerdsandNeedles]

Karma cooties indeed.

[Stitchonomy]

Did you contact WeeLittleStitches or the copycat seller? When I was not selling yet, someone followed me. When I checked their shop saw that they were selling some cross stitch patterns from Satsuma Street! I contact the original creator who in turn contacted the copycat who immediately removed their listing.

Not saying this will always work of course, some people are relentless, but it is worth a try.

I also agree with Kate, if everyone is getting inspired by the same source there will be some overlap, but this should only consist of things like the same text (from series/internet/books etc) and not exact copies of your font in this case or other parts of the pattern.

[Former_Member]

I'm relatively new here, and I've thought about this some.
I intentionally don't browse other stores because I don't want to get hung up on someone else's design which may end up influencing me whether I meant it to or not.
I try to find my own source material or create from scratch or reference material. so if someone claims I stole something I probably just used the same inspiration or similar source material.
Band logos, for instance, copied the logo, yes, stole from another craftsman? No.