What would you do if someone stole some of your artwork?

[libbyelliott]

Not that long ago I found myself in a situation at work that I never imagined I would be in.

I am a full-time graphic designer, and 4 of us were asked to create a logo for one of our partner organizations. They were going to be submitted and the organization was going to pick the one they wanted.

I only had 8 hrs. to turn in a final product. It basically took me all day. All of the artwork in my logo is my own original drawing in Illustrator.

I finish my logo, print my proofs, and upload my .ai files to the server. I was surprised to see I was the first one done.

A couple of days later I check the server, because I was curious to see the other submissions. That's when I saw a logo that had my fish artwork! I was furious! My logo design wasn't clip art. I couldn't believe someone would just take part of my design and use it as their own.

I complained to my boss, but it didn't seem like anyone really cared, as long as the "customer" got a logo they wanted.

What else was I to do?

I will attach the compilation file of all the logos. My logo is E and the logo that stole my artwork is B. It's obvious the fish is the same.

[Coy]

That is a tuff one. especially since your boss wouldn't do anything about it. Do you get paid like a comission or straight salary? If it was comission based I'd really through a hissy fit. Salary not so sure. But I'd defenatly talk to the other designer in the parking lot after work.

[CnWdesign]

Yea that is a tough call. If all the logos were done by the other 3 guys and your were employed by the same boss... there nothing really can do. Yes it your fish they use from yours, but it a call that should been by your boss... but he didn't care. Only thing that you could do is confront the person that did that logo and ask not to use your stuff again. write a complain to the HR or boss above him about the individual that use part of your image. The boss should have giving the individual a warning.

[like an angel]

i agree with u coy.. this is one problem steeling ur work..but ur bigger problem is ur colleagues & boss's attitude towards this situation
i think u should save ur projects is a protected place & ask to send the projects privately to the client in the future..if u would like to share with ur colleagues show them a small preview pic

and what a good solution for the problem coy that would work too XD

[libbyelliott]

The way our Creative Department works is by teams. I'm on the Retail team. There is a Projects team, Catalog team, and Brand team. We are all salaried.

Every team has an Art Director (Boss) who reports to the Creative Department Director. But essentially we all still have to work together to get things done.

I realized there wasn't anything I was going to be able to do about this, it's just frustrating to see someone take something that belongs to you and call it their own.

[brandyarnold]

wow. this would really tick me off.. but given your job structure, and the collaborative efforts, unfortunately there's probably nothing that can be done.

I would confront to person that stole my design, though. And, good that you let your boss know.

Ugh. what a bummer. I hope the client picked your design! If the thief's design gets picked it would REALLY get me fired up!

[cclark413]

From a designer's perspective, I would be furious.

But like many others have said, this is just "how it is".

I think it is completely unethical for someone to do this without your knowledge. I am of the opinion that if someone came and asked me "Hey, I think I have a good idea for an element I saw in your design. Can I use it in a concept?" I would be more than willing to work with them on that. Simply because they asked. But, in this case, it seems to be the old reach around.

Being that it was a team effort, I think it would be wise that in the future you discuss a ethical basis with your boss to make sure things like that do not hurt employee moral. Especially between colleagues. I am of the opinion that yes, there may be nothing you can do about the past, but definitely something can be done in the future.

Hope this helps

Chris

ADDED:

I just want to add that if there is any way that the other employee's logo was chosen, clearly there is a disconnect in the visual bliss department. You're logo clearly out ways the "competition" based on a number of things: form, color usage, typography, balance, readability, I could go on all day, etc....

Just thought I would throw that in...

[aset]

That's not cool taking an element of your logo and using it on their own!
I can't believe they didn't ask you if they could use it, as you are working as a team. Aren't you?
Did they mention they were using it at all? If they didn't this is clearly someone who has no creative talent themselves and had no choice but to steal your work.
I would have a word with them as others have said. Ask why they didn't ask you at all. And why they used your fish.

At least your boss knows now that it is your design of the fish so if they choose the robbers logo it should be recognised as a collaborative effort.

As cclark413 said yours is clearly the better logo. Much better design. The other one looks very amateur in my opinion.
PS. Have you noticed Reservoir is spelt wrong in your logo?

[sanjeebsks204]

This is almost a sin in my view.. Stealing someones genuine ideas or work without his/her permission.. I hate such people who do it.. Had I been in your place I would never have let my boss leave the matter uncared.. It really hurts when u do all the hard job and an inconsiderate guy sneaks out ur stuff and uses it without ur knowledge or grant.

That is how I feel about my works.

[libbyelliott]

Thank-you all for the positive feedback. Even though nothing was done about this matter it still helps to know I was justified in feeling the way I did.

I actually talked with a guy in our department yesterday, who use to work on the Projects team, and he said the person that I think did this, has been known to steal other people's work. But... She handles all of the owner's special projects and he just loves her, so that's why she gets away with it.

Hmmm.... I love Corporate America.

P.S. Aset...I actually never noticed Reservoir was spelled incorrectly. Apparently, no else did either! Thank-you for pointing that out. I will get it fixed. Nice catch!

[GDesign]

teaches you not to submit your work before everyone else does

[nadinesky]

tough call, especially if your boss didn't care.
Sorry, know what it is like to do all that hard work to be copied and get none of the credit!

[cindrella21]

you have to be care of your designs,i think you have a private designs concepts in your mind and you are the only one that able to explain your own ideas and why you had choose them and the way you describe your ideas the way that prove your designs property.if the other guy stole your own design he just stole the outer concept and he can`t explain the main idea so be sure that you are the main owner

[atondex]

Sorry to hear that.

Maybe it would have been a better idea to upload just a picture, not the .ai file.

That way it was just too easy for that designer to use your design.

Was uploading the original vector files a requirement ?

Usually in a contest the entries are just picture exports, and the vector files are handed only if the entry is chosen as the winner.

and he said the person that I think did this, has been known to steal other people's work

If that's already a habit, it's very wrong, and it should be definitely addressed sooner or later.

[yodah]

She handles all of the owner's special projects and he just loves her, so that's why she gets away with it.

Hmmm.... I love Corporate America.

Well, if she is the boss's favorite employee, then there is really nothing you can do about it... This kind of stuff is not just an American thing, unfortunately it's global.

Anyway, what kind of special projects, I wonder?

[one2curlyq]

i would confront the person!

[jecrt]

that sucks, credit-wise, for you. But - TYPICALLY, anything you create "on the clock" belongs to the company - so - it can be used for anything within the company. Sometimes (and you may want to check with your HR person) ANYTHING creative that you make in or out of work can be considered property of your employer. It's really tricky when you're dealing with intellectual/creative property. That sounds crazy, but - let's say that you were in a brainstorming meeting and got an idea. Then you went home and created a logo - as a freelancer - that used the idea you had at work. See the argument?

THAT'S why your boss probably isn't too upset, because - when it comes down to it - you're all working for the company/client. Just the way it is.

[atondex]

That sounds crazy, but - let's say that you were in a brainstorming meeting and got an idea. Then you went home and created a logo - as a freelancer - that used the idea you had at work.

What if you had an idea at home and create the logo at work ?

[jecrt]

What if you had an idea at home and create the logo at work ?

well...anything you create AT WORK (while you're being paid and using "company" equipment) should belong to the company.

obviously it doesn't work that way - and it's not really a problem if you don't work in a design field for your normal job...but it's like being a chef at a restaurant and using the stove to cook food for guys that you sell stuff to in the alley, isn't it?

I'm just playing the devil's advocate on this one, btw.

Bottom line is that anything you create at work, for the company you work for belongs to your employer. They typically pay you the minute you show up until the minute you leave for that reason.

[atondex]

well...anything you create AT WORK (while you're being paid and using "company" equipment) should belong to the company.

obviously it doesn't work that way - and it's not really a problem if you don't work in a design field for your normal job...but it's like being a chef at a restaurant and using the stove to cook food for guys that you sell stuff to in the alley, isn't it?

I'm just playing the devil's advocate on this one, btw.

Bottom line is that anything you create at work, for the company you work for belongs to your employer. They typically pay you the minute you show up until the minute you leave for that reason.

OK, I understand now.