Before submitting any design to a client or public platform, conducting an originality check is an indispensable step in the creative process.
Limiting "accidental plagiarism," can lead even the most well-intentioned designer to replicate an existing piece of work without realizing it.
Performing a reverse search protects both your personal reputation and your client’s legal standing.
Submitting a design that closely mirrors an existing brand, patented product, or copyrighted artwork can result in severe consequences, ranging from embarrassing public call-outs to costly trademark infringement lawsuits. A brief but thorough investigation using reverse image search engines, trademark databases, and design communities allows you to identify potential red flags early. Catching a conflict before submission ensures you can pivot your concept safely in the privacy of your own studio, rather than scrambling to fix a legal crisis after a project has launched.
Here are some ways to research…
1) images.google.com
2) duplichecker.com/reverse-image-search.php ( Has a few searches on one site )
3) USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office)
4) WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
5) help.pinterest.com/en/article/pinterest-lens
Just to list a few…
