Client stole my pitch
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- 55 Responses
- cannonball19780
Pursue compensation.
- isakosmo0
find a lawyer who specialises in intellectual property, there's laws in place for this type of situation.
if they have admitted in writing to using your intellectual property your case should be easier than most. Also let them know you have consulted a lawyer regarding their use of your property.
- autoflavour0
i hear guns are effective in solving these sorts of problems
- kingsteven0
if they made a copy of your pitch to send to the other party, you may be able to sting them on copyright infringement; that's a criminal charge... possible in the states if you can find a lawyer to do it on contingency.
- Ambushstudio0
Boz, is right, shit like this happens to us a lot, not that much anymore as now we kind of save the best for last, and are very very hermetic with our ideas, but I guess that will be stuff that will happen all the time, specially when you like a project a lot, I just start coming up with cool shit right there and then walk away from the meeting feeling like I just told the client everything he needed to know, and sometimes they like that attitude , other times they will just go with a cheaper version of us, there´s alway a cheaper version of you I guess, (should I
TM that?)
- SlashPeckham0
this client probably wont communicate your method as well as you -
solution - turn this into a good customer experience and grow your contact list at the same time here
- Speak to the client and tell them you are a bit disheartened by this and his guys might not get the total benefit from your own method. If you have an afternoon ask if you could visit this agency with them and present this yourself... the client will think you've gone above and beyond and the agency might use you for other stuff... if they say no then see above..
- bored2death0
That fucking sucks that stole your 'work'. I guess this illustrates why people like AIGA are so against spec work.
- With AIGA, you pay to pitch: http://www.aigadc.or…raf
- HAAHAHAHHA PAYING TO BE PAID?
fucking idiotsBIGGESTDOGINTHEWORLD
- raf0
"There's nothing I'm willing to do against this client. It would be fruitless and just make me look like an asshole, and you'd be surprised how quickly lots of people can find out you're an asshole."
This is just another way of saying...
"There's nothing I'm willing to do against this client. They're just making me look like a pushover and I'll be surprised how quickly lots of people can find out you're a pushover."
I am teasing you, of course, I am not really saying you should turn this into a war. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting paid for your work.
I would wait until they finish and only then invoice them. Having contacted an intellectual property lawyer first, of course.
You can offer them to lead the team, with your knowledge and considering they're using the methodology outlined in your proposal, as people suggested. This, if fails, only provides more evidence for your lawyer.
- lukus_W0
It sounds like a small admission. They were impressed with the way you were going to approach the project - and they've used it as a resource to guide the project. It read to me, like they were trying to reassure you that you provided sound advice.
I'd maybe suggest you're a little 'surprised'; while you're pleased they were impressed with your methodology, you would have ordinary expected some form of compensation if a company choose to make use of consultancy advice which adds value to it's business.
I'd then explain that - even though the above is true - you hold no hard feelings, and that you enjoyed pitching for them. You have a lot more to offer, have taken their feedback on board and look forward to working with them more fully in the future.
- cannonball19780
"I'm happy you liked my thinking and that you are moving forward with it. Since there is no NDA or anything signed I am going to to take this thinking on the road... test it our in other places you are in the market. Best of luck differentiating!"
- sorry I was "filtering" something and found thiscannonball1978
- Iggyboo0
Screw all of this nonsense and wasted time. Don't do Spec period, unless you're ok with gambling your time and some people are because the risk is worth the reward. But I cannot see how it could be for one man.
- ismith0
I know absolutely nothing about this kind of thing, but I'd be a little surprised if there wasn't some way to protect yourself from this when it's as blatant as you describe it.
- whatthefunk0
Would a NDA work for a pitch?
- no one would sign it, is my betjohngrif
- How would you know they broke it unless they tell you?noneck
- Worth a shot, if they say no, augment your pitch. This doesn't sound unique thoughwhatthefunk
- forcetwelve0
no.
- ksv1230
do you have this
Here's the kicker. He said that they liked my methodology so much that they gave it to the winning vendor and told them to do it the way I had proposed. Now, I've heard of situations where clients steal spec work (which I don't do), but never the whole methodology.
in writing or proof of this?
- monNom0
Is this a 'methodology' in the sense of a design system? or a methodology in the sense of a process that you follow to ensure a smooth running project and well polished final product?
If the former, you may have a claim of copyright infringement. I wouldn't worry about the later.
- dirtydesign0
were you paid a fee for the pitch?
if so, they own it.- Nope. They did ask for spec work in the initial meeting, and I told them to pound sand when it comes to spec work.noneck
- eieio0
whats an "overlay"? sounds like a comparison or something