logo rip advice
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- SeriousFreelancing0
It all depends on what YOU want to get out of it Benson... there are numerous ways to handle this situation, even legally, like Cont said.
What would I personally do? I really don't know... contact the company who's logo they copied and have them handle it? Write an eloquent letter that would force any sensible person to apologize? Ask them if taking other people's ideas is part of their brand promise and position... Suggest that you're moved to talk about your experience in a social media forum...Or be professional and express my confusion, inquire and listen to them squirm in their seat.
I really don't know, it all depends on what YOU want to get out of it.
- lambsy0
i had a similar situation a few years ago.
designed a brand for an automotive industry company. sent tradeshow materials to be produced by this exhibit company. exhibit company ends up using graphics and logos from automotive company as their 'new identity'.
my boss called them up and said: ' i know you guys really liked their designed items and we know they are really beautiful to look at etc, but automotive company paid Lots and Lots to have that image be exclusively theirs. we can't have you using the imagery, etc... we don't know who did it, and we understand how excited everyone must be over there, but you guys ultimately didn't pay for it, and it can end up hurting us and you if this is found out. please don't make us take this any further'
problem fixed.
- How quickly did you catch them out? I didn't notice for over a year. Company nowFax_Benson
- established and doing well by the looks of it.Fax_Benson
- like 4 months after. walked into their showroom and saw something a bit familiar.lambsy
- Nice. They sent me their newsletter email with (effectively) my logo at the topFax_Benson
- PonyBoy0
rape and pillage
- haven't got the energy for that. grope and pilfer?Fax_Benson
- Observe and judgeLillebo
- SeriousFreelancing0
Lamb's company responded professionally and got what they wanted.
Dale Carnegie is a good start for professional communications. Don't hate on me, I just read it because this is how the rest of the corny corporate world works. My ego-driven responses got me in trouble in the past, but then again so did DOLLING out wedgies.
Diplomacy is a tough mask to wear especially for people with passion, and talent, but it's much prettier than ego and narcissism.
- Always intended to be diplomatic. Ego and narcissism not an issue.Fax_Benson
- talent and passion aren't either really, to be honest.Fax_Benson
- As long as you're not calling anyone out, you'll get much further. A positive approach will get you much further as you know.SeriousFreelancing
- SeriousFreelancing, you don't get it. Bringing it to their attention IS calling them out.monospaced
- lambsy0
yes. it was a very diplomatic approach. what really made them understand was the perceived threat of this other company paying a whole lot for something they pretty much stole and coming after them for infringement.
which company is bigger benson? the one who stole, or the one who was stolen from?
- Company 1 is bigger, but company 2 is doing well & could be worth a load more.Fax_Benson
- Fax_Benson0
The original company is a law firm. Not sure I want to approach them with the issue though.
- I think you should, you're going to get lawyers on your side for free!zarkonite
- zarkonite0
Seeking legal advice would be a suitable course of action, and it sounds like the thieves were lucky enough to steal from a law firm.
Maybe call them and tell them they've stolen materials from a law firm?
I'd call up the law firm and explain the situation to them, see what they think should be done... it's their field of expertise. Would it hurt your wallet to go on the offensive on the thieves?
- Amicus0
I'd call the Law Firm as my first step. They are your clients, and as such you are letting them know that you are looking after their interests. I'd definitely rehearse what I wanted to say and then call your contact at the firm and talk to them personally about your concerns. Reiterate the fact that you had nothing to do with the plagiarism and ask if there is anything further you can do to help them in this matter.
The most likely thing is that they'll send a cease and desist order to the other company.
The most unlikely, and best for you is that they may want to update some materials and move a little further from Company B's stolen look and feel.
- Ambushstudio0
FAGDRAG!!!!!
- hellojeehae0
you should put it up on that blog.
http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice…
- vaxorcist0
I once worked for a nonprofit that had a HUGE threatened lawsuit on its hands because an insurance company thought our logo was too much like theirs.... most people would find them quite different.. i.e. one had stair steps but was round, the other had stair steps but was square, different colors,etc....
we caved and made a new logo... after a short phone call with board members.... some of whom were VERY experienced lawyers and bigwhigs in Chicago...
Logo oriented lawsuits really, really terrify boards of directors....
- Fax_Benson0
The problem is that the company with the "borrowed" logo has been around for over a year and is now established to a point where it won't just give up it's identity and start over. The original company is in a totally different industry and is completely unaffected (at the present - I guess there's a chance one of the bosses might buy a product from the 2nd company and notice the rip).
- That's their problem to manage. Not yours. This is a consequence of nicking people's stuff.Continuity
- Continuity0
That the company who nicked the logo is a year old and established is no concern of yours. So what if they are? Is that a perfect excuse not to take them to task for ripping off the artwork? Come on, mate, seriously? That's basically saying that anyone who steals anything can't be touched after a given amount of time has passed.
They should have thought about that a year ago when they made the decision to use ... derivative work, let's call it. And _they_ are the ones who need to face of to the consequences of that.
- I agree. I'm not absolving them. Just pointing out that they're attached to the logoFax_Benson
- Projectile0
the fact that they're attached to the logo could work in your favour.
But at the end of the day, all of us are sitting here assuming that these two logos are almost identical. Don't forget the possivbility that you're looking into this too much because you spent so long on the logo.
Especially if it's in helvetica :P
- Fax_Benson0
- call them rather. emails are all too easy to ignoreProjectile
- please record call so we can chuckle along with the awkward situation.lambsy
- mnmlst0
post it.