What Do You All Do When You Find Someone Is Copying Your Product?

[DavidL]

The brand with the most exposure will get the recognition of that design, regardless of who created it.

Ex. Hydrox came before oreos, kiddicraft blox came before legos.

Why do oreos or legos gain more popularity to the point they are believed to be "original" may be that the product isn't anything revolutionary, but the marketability of oreos and legos outreach competitors.

Stay more relevant than your competitors, and like others have said in this thread keep innovating other designs that follow the same design cues.

For example if you look at car manufacturers most cars in the line up will have similar design cues throughout the models. Consistency. Familiarity.

[Nuttish]

Fashion and clothing are quite different than some of the types of tangible goods being discussed here. They're generally not copyrightable.

Go to Barney's or Neiman's and closely study a few high end handbags. Then go over to a mid level department store and see some of the same design elements in less expensive bags.

At the end of the day, 99% of the fashion industry relies on cribbing designs from fashion houses at the top of the food chain. It takes a year or more for the basics of off the rack designs from major international fashion shows to trickle down, but they do.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

So here goes, this is an on going question that comes up a lot. There are many answers to the question that will result in many varying ways, from good to frustrating. As I see it, when someone copies your work, whether with or without permission, it is the most sincere form of complimenting you. Since there is no real way to exact vengeance on them, the only thing you can do is, first make sure that your product/work is better than theirs, after all, it's your idea isn't it? You should be able to make it better, and stay ahead of them, then make sure that their customer base knows that theirs is a copy and won't be quite as good as the originator's product. If you are still not satisfied be sure to take out an add in whatever publication they use , Thank them for the compliment of using your design, and let the customer base know that there is product available from the original source. That is if you are the original source, and didn't copy the design from someone else! At the end of the day you can spend your time trying to get them to stop, (won't work) or making more stuff. Just sayin",

Bob

[howlback]

Experiencing my own bout with this subject right now. Decided to do a forum search on it. This is great advice, Bob. The best I’ve found. It’s hard to think clearly when your seeing red but this really settles it. Thank you!

Edited January 28, 2018 by howlback

[BillinTR]

Just for curiosity I would like to know what the approach should be if you specifically want to copy something functional. There is a leather item I use regularly that is no longer made. There are a number of other simple functionally identical items available but the one I am interested in is uniquely constructed and that contributes to why I like it. I know for certain that the original company no longer makes the item which is why I am going to make one for myself. But I also know of a number of other people who happen to like the same version of this item that I do. I have considered making additional copies just to perhaps sell a few. We are not talking about a huge market. Just maybe a little pocket change to help support my interest in leatherworking. What is the predominant thinking on this?

 

[garypl]

10 minutes ago, BillinTR said:

Just for curiosity I would like to know what the approach should be if you specifically want to copy something functional. There is a leather item I use regularly that is no longer made. There are a number of other simple functionally identical items available but the one I am interested in is uniquely constructed and that contributes to why I like it. I know for certain that the original company no longer makes the item which is why I am going to make one for myself. But I also know of a number of other people who happen to like the same version of this item that I do. I have considered making additional copies just to perhaps sell a few. We are not talking about a huge market. Just maybe a little pocket change to help support my interest in leatherworking. What is the predominant thinking on this?

 

If you are not actively trying to market a product and just want to make a few for friends, I would not worry about it one bit.

Gary

[bikermutt07]

I nicked a belt design the other day. I have enough scruples to not go out and sell it. It was a good idea. A great idea.

But it was a 20 dollar belt with an 80 dollar price tag. I don't think the concept was worth 60 bucks. 

So, I made one for my work vest. I'm also making myself and a friend one.

[Mjolnir]

"Good artists copy, Great artists steal." -Pablo Picasso-

"People buy the artist, the brand, the quality. The object d'art is arbitrary." -Me-

[rodneywt1180b]

Copying is a fact of life.  I don't make direct copies but I do look at what others are doing and use that for inspiration in my own work.  Some things like clothing and other utilitarian items aren't protected by patents.  That's why many major brands print their logos all over them.  Their trademarks are protected even if their designs aren't.  But that doesn't always help either.  Even with their logos there are still plenty of knockoffs out there.

Maybe use a trademark on your product to differentiate it from the copies?

[Harris]

BE PROUD