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Ripped Off in record time!
May 29th, 2007
Use your own Melon!
I took a bit of time in planning the structure, content, and design of this site. My designer and I went through quite a few mockups in order to arrive at the look and feel we desired. But now, just one week after launch, I already see my design being hacked up and republished fraudulently. Let me explain…
A form of compliment?
The last time I had a design stolen, I wrote to the offender to notify him that not only was he infringing upon my design rights and fraudulently stealing my images and code, he was also using my bandwidth as he was hotlinking to all of my images.
He said, “You should be happy that your design is being used… take it as a compliment.”
Well, I’m not flattered
When a site such as “PHPizabi’s” basically hacks up the design I invested quite a bit of time and energy into making my own, I personally do not find it comlimenting, flattering, or positive in any way. I would imagine that most others feel the same way.
It’s not like reusing a nice piece of CSS for their links, or using your design for inspiration in coming up with their own unique idea… he simply steals your design and attempts to cover it up with his own links and text. The worst part is how my pretty design gets trampled upon in such an ugly way.
Why hack it up?
The part of this topic that always makes me laugh is that inevitably, the person stealing the design hacks it all up. They can’t even steal code and images properly! This tends to be about the time that I lose interest in the topic, shoot them an email requesting termination of their infringement, and move on with my day.
What about you?
Have you had a design stolen? Give us some before and after screenshot links in your comments and we’ll see if it turns into an entertaining list.
Christopher May 29th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Well, I can definitely see why they would want to use your site design - absolutely stunning. Of course, no reason to justify the theft.
Keep up the good work! :D
sapinto May 30th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
right dude, inspiration is got nothing to do with stealing.
ps:sry bout my english, and i like your site btw :)
Lakshmi May 30th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Congrats Kevin frm one heartland person [Omaha, NE] to another. Your theme is nice. I was admiring the details of the design [I came here from CSS TUX], when I paid attention to this post’s content, and was I amused. In a more practical approach, you need to put up some kind of creative commons license to the site design etc.
Next, I fully agree. When the rip off is not even remotely elegant, and you end up being disgusted, you just dont know what to do or say after that. Hence my suggestion of putting in a copyscape, creative commons license etc. People usually respond better when they are served some kind of legal notice, even across countries.
Finally, I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I see more of arrogance in the rip off conduct.
In a lighter vein, maybe you need to get into the apple design team, if your designs are that popular, that almost everyone rips it.
Digs May 31st, 2007 at 8:32 am
damn, that was fast…and not very nice. sorry that happened.
chris May 31st, 2007 at 11:14 am
:( sad to here.
Digg it and let them be scrutinised :)
Jiri Kupiainen May 31st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Sucks to hear that.. Back in the days when I was into this whole “computer art” thing, some of my desktops were included on the cover CD of a French computer magazine. After some wrangling they finally apologized to me via email, but that’s it.
In any case, I have to say that at least they picked a very nice design to rip. :/
Why not set up some fun images for the ones he’s hotlinking?
Ian June 7th, 2007 at 8:45 am
He seems to have changed his design now, though not excusing his total lack of respect, but his new design i swear i have seen before?
ametuers…
Great site by the way, found you on csstux, sticking you straight in my pocket (thinkpocket.com)!!
Stewart Orr July 24th, 2007 at 8:25 am
I have had this a few times after featuring on CSS galleries. They don’t reuse the code which I wouldn’t mind, they just “File -> Save” and then remove all references to me and my site. It upsets me a great deal.
I have emailed and successfully made contact with 4 of 5 people who have stolen my work. Luckily, most of them removed it but there is one who has a “tough luck” attitude. You have my sympathies.