Major company steels our design!
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- WoutWijtenburg
Hello.
A major, wellknow jewelery company in Holland has stole our logo-proposals that we have designed for them in summer 2003 and now turned it in their 'new idenity' wich is put on the internet, major magazine ads, packaging and jewelery!Our design proposals:
Their website (logo at top)
http://www.buddhatobuddha.comPlease tell me what to charge them? And am I going strong if I put them to court?
I have emailed my former client Buddha to Buddha to setlle this with my company before I take him to court? How to handle?
Thanks!
- WoutWijtenburg0
Anyone please?
- mevsthem0
I wouldn't call that a rip, i think there logo is better. the 2 is better executed, way different.
- winter0
reward comes quicker if you just spank him in a alley :P
he can always state he gave you the directions for the design if any meeting took place... looks like a very hard plight to stand in a court...
- abstrakt0
sorry i really don't know. it definately is based off your designs, but they might be able to argue it's different enough that it's not copying. maybe if you set a price and threaten a lawsuit if they don't pay, maybe they'll pay up.
- Linda0
That's not the point right? The idea is exactly the same. Except that the real 2 is a romain number. I think it's fucked up, it's no matter which one is better. It's steeling, simple....
- Gorbie0
i don't think you have any case.
- winter0
how can you defend what's not copy protected? no one registers proposals... it would be crazy.
and reversing double initials is a very common pratice. they can always argue their name easily promotes that solution.
you can't have a case there imho.
- abstrakt0
i'm thinking to avoid a lawsuit they might pay up, if the price is reasonable
- Linda0
Right...so copyright means nothing anymore? fucked up shit...
- Gorbie0
90% of lawsuits in america settle before they reach court.
i don't know how it is in The Hague... but that's something to think about.
- WoutWijtenburg0
then what would be reasonable? we came up with the concept... they said it was 'not what they looked for' a year back.
Now they use the idea after all.
Simple and clear our concept.They use it in nationwide ads, tv, print an packaging. What is reasonalble? EUR 15.000? More? Less? Its a big company.
- mevsthem0
your not gonna get anything from them in my opinion. if they were actually using the ones you made then you could have an case, id suggest writting up a good bluff letter, like something is going on.
- WoutWijtenburg0
I did send them a email earlier today saying that they used our concept and we will have a case against them. They have to contact me asap. Then we have a meeting and setlle this. I will have credit for the concept plus financial settlement. But how much?
- Linda0
oooh millions baby!! $$$$
;)
- mevsthem0
you made it, you should know how much your time/work is worth, my suggestion is don't be greedy.
- winter0
i'm not the devil's advocate but you haven't registered the idea...
how can you prove that another designer didn't get to the same concept as you did?
you can always try a nice mail with a few harsh words about laywers and all. maybe the prospect of scandal is enough to make the company pay for the concept work. but if it is a big company they prolly have a legal department that will easily deconstruct your accusations based on copyright matters.
- WoutWijtenburg0
Worked on different proposals for over 50 hours. EUR 8000 is a minumum. Agree?
- WoutWijtenburg0
The company has no legal department at all. Its just 5 guys designing and selling. But they have major sales and exposure....
- mevsthem0
I still think there concept is different and better, and i agree with winter how do you know a designer didn't get to the same conclusion and executed it better.
- DutchBoy0
sux man.
but you charge 160 euros per hour??