“Imitation isn’t flattery if it costs you your business!” Increasingly designers are using social media to highlight blatant copying. If you wish to send us examples of your originals and look alikes to be considered for Spot The Difference email info@acid.uk.com with evidence of your design origination (registered design or signed and dated drawings) and we will consider publishing them. The latest images below show products from Talking Tables Ltd and B&M Retail. For a full report visit the Newsdesk.
ORIGINAL OR COPY? SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!
Inspirational or blatant copying?
For example, in the case of Tatty Devine and Claire’s Accessories (necklaces below), this received an instant result with Claire’s Accessories removing an alleged lookalike of Tatty Devine’s design within 24 hours. But beware of doing this without expert legal advice as you have to be very careful of defamation and not make groundless threats. ACID can advise!
For too long designers have felt helpless against copyists, especially if they are big companies because design law is so complex. We want you to send us your examples which we will carefully consider adding to this site to raise awareness about the increasing number of lookalikes appearing in the marketplace and highlight through social media for you to judge. Below is a very small sample of some of case studies, only a very few reached a final Court hearing.
The culture that it is alright to steal designs can be based on arrogance, ignorance or greed but has, quite simply, got to stop! Sometimes, the strategy of large organisations is to change the designs so it is very difficult to legally challenge but at the same time it is clear that there was an intent to copy.
ACID is at the front line, working towards design law reform, helping its members protect their precious intellectual property. Why not join us to increase our campaigning power and put pressure on those who persist in taking the fast track to market? JOIN NOW!
