Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Copyright/Plagiarism??

Here's my problem. Someone purchased my 2007 copyrighted pattern in Oct 2011, made the item and, posted it on YouTube a month later, mentioned that they bought the pattern from me, and where from one of my pattern stores they purchased the pattern from.

  Then, the next month, they not only posted a plagiarized free version of the same pattern, but linked it to a video tutorial on YouTube.

  By calling it by a different name, changing some of the abbreviations like sc dec to sc tog (the same thing!!), saying she's justified by making it 'similar', but listed it as a 'orginal design'. Trying to reason with her is useless, and she's done something similar with a different pattern.
I'm concern that if something isn't done, it sends a bad message to anyone who feels justified in doing the same thing to any other designer!!

It's the first time it's happened to me. I'm sure you've had people tell you that they've either had a similar idea, and/or claimed they thought of it too, but if you don't publish it, it's just a idea.

She claims she' made a 'similar hat for her husband a couple of years ago (she list she's only been crocheting for 3 yrs!), but never got around to writing out a pattern....well, going over the pattern myself, it's clear she doesn't know how to even copy one very well.

Posting the pattern as 'free' doesn't resolve you of any wrong doing. In fact, it makes it worse.

By giving it away for free, it takes potential customers from me.

Sure, it may boost your ego, and may attract a lot of people to you, but pretty soon that gets old, and eventually, if you keep it up, one's true colors will begin to emerge.

8 comments:

MDubya said...

Sorry that this happened! I hope you can get it resolved and that the plagiarist stops stealing and giving away your hard work!

Jo said...

It's a shame that, in the fiber community, there are "bad apples" amongst all the good ones. Apparently, these people can't (or won't) understand that selling patterns is a way of financial means for some. It's just like stealing food out if your hand.

Hopefully God will lay a burden on this person so they will come to terms w/ what they have done and make things right.

Unknown said...

Be comforted that what goes around does eventually come around. And it is usually much worse than the original offense which I think why we are to pray for those that do us wrong. Love your designs as many do, so just remember that what's meant for you will certainly be for you!

stephanie said...

That truly sucks that someone would steal your original work. I think that crochet arts are very generous when they give you permission to sell the completed item. You need to give credit where credit is due and not steal. I don't know who you are talking about but I hope something is done about any theft done to yourself or any other author/designer

stephanie said...

That truly sucks that someone would steal your original work. I think that crochet arts are very generous when they give you permission to sell the completed item. You need to give credit where credit is due and not steal. I don't know who you are talking about but I hope something is done about any theft done to yourself or any other author/designer

Anonymous said...

I seriously doubt that she was taking food out of your mouth. I saw both caps, and they were NOT identical. Her cap was "inspired" by your pattern, with some obvious differences. She even said in her video that your cap was the inspiration. She was paying you a compliment, you arrogant ass! It's a shame that you are too blind to realize it. I really think that you are hurting yourself by acting this way. I'm sure you are only paying homage to Mary J. Blige with the hat you named after her. How would you feel if she sent you nasty messages because you attached her name to a product you are selling? That wouldn't feel so good, now would it?

Leave this nice lady alone. Stop being a little sissy cry baby. She was not the one making money with this cap - you are. You seriously need to get over yourself. It is just a cap. Shame on you! ��

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

To Anonymous,

First, let me say that it's cowardly to comment in a nasty way and hide behind being 'anonymous'.

That being said, I believe I didn't mention anyone by name, so apparently you know who I was referring to.

I take it that you may be upset with the removal of both the free pattern and the tutorial.

In short...TOO DAMM BAD!!

You need to move on. ;-)
I have.

csharp said...

Ken, I too agree. You did the work to create the pattern. A person can change just one stitch in a design and think they can claim it as their own. Not true. It is a bad thing because if that pattern is given away for free, then it spreads like wildfire and it is happening throughout the craft scene. I think you have every right to feel as you do. Keep up the good work!