flattery?


Can you tell which one is mine?

At what point is it okay to copy someone's designs, bead for bead?


Comments

  1. There is no point where copying and/or claiming someone else's design is acceptable. Also, it's illegal - intellectual property theft.

    It's just stinks when other people try to capitalize on the hard work and creativity of others just to make a quick buck. If it's any consolation, yours is waaaaaay better and I think we can all tell which one it is.

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  2. Anonymous8/09/2010

    I knew immediately which one was yours. The design is much more balanced, the wirework more polished (not literally, you know what I mean), and even the photography is much better. Still, the other is too close for the person to claim as his or her own. That is wrong. Did the person give you credit as "inspiration even"?

    You are in (and on) the right.

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  3. OMG!!!! Down to the last detail, although, I'm pretty sure I know which one is yours, since the photography is better, as well as the overall look of the necklace. I know this sort of thing goes on, but they could have at least changed something!! Un-freaking-believable!

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  4. I am so sorry for you! While I do like to get the overall look of a beautiful piece I can't help but make it my own! I would never dream of selling a piece that all but copies another's design and claim it was my own! I believe we are all inspired by someone else and should give that artist props for the inspiration!

    I love your piece! I am able to tell by the attention to detail and photo!

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  5. If you copy a piece because you love it and only are going to wear it yourself, that's one thing. If you copy to sell that's theft. You MUST give credit...

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  6. Aaaack! That is so wrong! I might copy someone just as a learning process to try something out...just to see if I could do it. I wouldn't post it unless I said that it was inspired by someone and I was practicing a technique. I would never try to sell it.

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  7. ummm, wow. Yes, I can tell which is yours, and from the comments before me I think we all can see the difference. I hope the person who has done this sees the error of their ways....

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  8. I would be pissed! I can definitely tell which one is yours however.
    Oh and p.s. got my copy of stringing today. I LOVE your autumn jewels design :)

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  10. just shaking my head

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  11. I can sure tell which photo I like better, so I'm guessing I know which one's yours. Sorry this happened and, no, this is not flattery, it's not right.

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  12. I would contact the person and let them know you're on to them. Can you stop them? - probably not without costly litigation.
    I would seriously think about tagging all your necklaces and bracelets. You could place it in such a manner that it is part of the design. I do this with my pieces.
    "Knock-offs" certainly have no boundaries in the marketplace, unfortunately.
    And, yes, I knew which one was yours.

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  13. The sad thing is that the more you get recognized, published, and generally out there... the more this happens. It's probably not the first time and it will most likely not be the last time this happens.

    Good luck taking care of this!

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  14. I found the person, and he/she has had no sales, and has negative feedback for lack of payment to bead artists...obviously a class act :-/

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  15. Ugh. So frustrating.

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  16. Um...Flattery? NO. You have every right to be pissed. I would be. You are an artist that makes ORIGINAL pieces and you have worked your arse off to achieve that certain look that is all YOU. I am sorry this happened...not the first time though...and unfortunately probably not the last. Hold your head up Lorelei...we love YOU and your amazing, original jewelry!

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  17. I can see being inspired, but they may as well have put it on the copier and pushed the button... copies are never as good as the original. If I had the nerve, I'd stand up to them and tell them to take it down from the web or you will contact the powers that be and report them for infringement of copyright on intellectual property.

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  18. I'm just going to second what everyone else says. It's unreal. I will not forget what you told me... Karma Karma :)

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  19. I have not seen such blatant copying, the same butterfly pendant, the red button, even your style of photography with the old dictionary. So sorry! It is one thing to be inspired by your designs and quite another to reproduce them! Flattery of the worse kind!

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  20. Ha ha you make me laugh, as if it is NOT obvious which one is yours. I guess it is "flattery" using the BROAD sense of the word in the fact that this person thought it was worth copying :-)

    Can you not report it to etsy?

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  21. Hi Ladies!
    i have reported them to etsy.
    nothing has happened.
    i have convo'd them directly.
    I got no response.
    which makes me believe it was done purposefully.
    so I was just curious to know how you all felt about this issue.

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  22. I can definitely tell which one is yours, you have a style and feeling that defies duplication of your spirit, even when they try their darndest. They will always lack your distinctive soulfullness in copying your work, but it's still aggravating and hurtful. I hope you can do something to stop this flagrant dishonesty.

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  23. I found the dude on Etsy. I'm going to have to trim my Facebook friends. Not cool.

    I met him in Philadelphia at BeadFest the same year that I met you there.

    There are some other "questionable" designs that look familiar by other designers.

    All I have to say is SHADY!

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  24. Wow. Much like the rest, I can definitely tell which is yours based on many things.

    Using another's work for inspiration is one thing, but copying it outright is another.

    This looks like just plain stealing. I'm sorry, and I hope the bugger gets what's coming to him.

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  25. OK Ya'll here i go...

    for anyone out there who has said or thinks
    " imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"
    it most certainly isn't..not when its all out copying, as opposed to "inspired by".
    also that well known comment gets thrown in about there being nothing new in the world..well poop i say..

    just ask any person who has worked hard to create something special.
    i have yet to find anyone who thinks it's cool to be ripped off.
    Nope not flattery at all.

    This is not a case of being inspired by your work..its just copying it.. if he thought it was a nice design there are so many other ways that butterfly could have been used..
    different stones..different clasp,etc. it might have been nice then..instead a sad clone of the original.

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  26. Anonymous8/09/2010

    Often, I will set out to duplicate a piece I've seen somewhere. Inevitably, however, it will look much different in the end. Most of the time you could not even tell that one piece was the inspiration for the other. If I made something that was really close, however, I at least wouldn't sell it online (if I first spotted it online). Copying is a useful educational technique. Copying one of your designs would likely teach me some things about color, proportion, rhythm, etc. I don't know whether I'd actually wear the piece or not. I would definitely never sell it. I would probably take it apart and use the beads for something else...or try to find a way to substantially alter the piece to make it my own.

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  27. Good grief, the person responsible really did copy every last detail. So sorry Lorelei, just sickening. Obviously he/she is not part of this amazing artisan community... copycats are not cool.

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  28. Oh dear. From what I've seen of your work so far (though it hasn't been long) I would guess the one on the right is yours. There are times and places that copying would be all right, but I don't think this is one of them. Especially if they are trying to pass it off as yours or trying to sell it. Terrible, terrible.

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  29. I'll just stick with- wow...ugh...

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  30. Just depressing...of course I knew which was yours, by the way...makes the world feel a little wretched and shoddy. Let us know what Etsy does: am curious!

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  31. If it makes you feel better they do say that immitation is the sincerest form of robbery.. or something like that. I know yours is on the right.

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  32. Sadly theft had all of its brothers and sisters have happened since Eve ate the apple!
    Fraud..

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  33. There is no justification for copying someone's design to pass it off as your own work.
    This is pathetic.

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  34. mary s8/10/2010

    whoa. some people have no shame!

    how on earth did you find it?

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  35. Doesn't this guy have an inner voice that tells him not to do stuff like this?! The ridiculously funny thing is, that in his tags on Etsy he used the term: "one of a kind".

    Even if I wanted to copy someone I never have the exact same material to do so. So this guy went out of his way to get the material and copy it. That shows intent. Go after him.

    For other people wanting to look him up on Etsy use the following search words (I left out his username):

    jewelry, necklace, beaded, beadwork, metal, wood, one of the kind, rolo chain, handmade clasp, handmade, turquoise, nugget bead, charm, brass, nugget beads, wire, vintage button

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  36. I'm so sorry Lorelei. I can definately tell which is yours and not just by the photo.

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  37. I have two quotes on my blog sidebar that come immediately to mind.

    Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one was ever great by imitation."

    Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen. - Robert Bresson

    You make a great many new things visible, Lorelei, and you always will because you are an artist.

    This is a shame and very saddening, please don't let it frustrate or cast a shadow on your spirit.

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  38. Let's pity this guy since he clearly has no artistic vision of his own. On second thought, let's just go beat him up!

    Seriously though, I hate when this happens but unfortunately the more your name gets out there the more it's going to occur.

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  39. I think it is great to see such full and complete support from this community that copying is not okay.

    I liked what the Anonymous commenter had to say about that s/he DOES copy pieces to use as an educational experience...to learn more about techniques, rhythm, color usage. But then has no intention of selling the piece and will likely rip it up or make it her/his own and unrecognizeable from the original. In taking jewelry classes/tutorials, it is expected the student will learn the techniques, but not use them solely to replicate the work of the teacher.

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  40. Wow, I had no idea it was quite this bad, L! I'm pretty sure you know how I feel on the subject. We've talked about it many times. I know your work very well, so it's easy for me to tell that yours is on the right, but apparently all of your friends and blogger readers can tell which one is yours as well! I'm pretty impressed with that!!! That just lets you know, that your work really does have it's own look and a feeling that is uniquely you!

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  41. OMG... this sucks. copying to learn is one thing, but this is crazy! It is like down to the last bead the same. I didn't know it was this bad!

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  42. Now that we are all out here in cyberspace, this will be more and more common. I don't know what we can do about it. Every time I load a photo onto flickr, I wonder if someone will just take the photo and claim it as their own. It is disturbing to say the least.

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  43. Unbelievable. I can't believe the seller is selling it in the very same arena as you!! Many of us copy other peoples designs on a regular basis - designs from Stringing, Beadwork magazine, Step by Step Wire etc., its encouraged! - but there is a completely different motivation behind doing this than sitting down and designing something yourself and does NOT give you the right to sell it. Of course! WHat a sneaky guy.

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  44. ~Shame Shame Shame~
    Sharon

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  45. It's just a lazy and lame act. Unfortunatley, this happens with art all the time. Thankfully the Internet exists and you can easily nab these bums.
    "F" is for FAKE!

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  46. This is in one of his descriptions: "These light and breezy earrings feature crystal rondelle , Twisted links and Nuts from the new line Industrial Chic by SLK.This pair of earrings are an Ispiration of Lorelei Eurto." Really, no SH**!?

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  47. Ah well...the lack of sales says it all. Karma is a bitch! Any response to your convos/reporting yet?

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  48. You already know how I feel about this, the most atrocious, blatant disregard for originality!! Unbelievable! What worries me the most is that I was looking at his favorites and I saw your shop, as well as both of mine on there. I think that he most likely goes "cyber stalking" and that is why we are seeing not just yours but other designs that look familiar. Etsy really NEEDS to do something about this guy!!

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  49. Anonymous8/11/2010

    Oh Lorelei! I am so very sorry. I can't imagine how upsetting something like this is. You are an amazing designer and unfortunately this comes with the territory but please Keep your head up. You have the support of so many of your peers!

    TAKE CARE.

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  50. I think everything has already been said. Wow. I will often look at a necklace in a magazine and say to myself "oh, yeah, that thing on the left with the bead like that is a good idea" and then I'll use it, but I've never copied an entire piece, bead for bead.

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  51. When I first saw those gorgeous patterned disks in your Harbinger collection, for a few moments I thought about doing the same thing. . .but it just felt slimy. It's frustrating, because it's such a cool and distinctive idea, but it's not MY idea.

    I'm now looking for other materials and ideas for cool bead caps and disks. I have no problem looking to your work for inspiration, but directly copying from you would make me feel like such a wannabe. And worse.

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  52. WEll what do i have to say that hasn't already been said. I found the guy and alot of his work scarily reminds me of your past pieces.

    Sorry you are going through this, I love your work and sometimes when I am stuck for ideas I visit your blog for inspiration, but to copy out right is just wrong, I mean to actually go and get the exact same pieces what the heck is that about.

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  53. Never, ever is it OK. Even the position of the piece in the photograph is the same. I'm speechless.

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  54. Anonymous8/12/2010

    I know this is wrong, but it happens. It happened to me and I was in shock for a minute or two and then realized that they have no creative backbone themselves and have to steal others ideas, thats sad.

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  55. Absolutely stunned, dear.

    I read your blog daily. How on earth I missed this post I will never know. So my post on 8/10 was eerily well-timed. Since I knew that this has been a recurring issue for artists like you and Andrew in particular, you were actually on my mind when I wrote it.

    I did manage to find this bozo on Etsy, although I am not sure how you do find this. [Are you reading this blog too, you cyber-punk? Because you should see that your deplorable lack of originality is obviously the reason you have no sales. It is karma.]

    There is a fine line between being inspired (or 'Ispiration of Lorelei Eurto' as he wrote) and copying directly. Passing off another's design as your own is just plain wrong. Despicable, in fact.

    And the fact that said bozo cannot even string a complete sentence together makes me think that he is not really located in FL. Really? Because last time I checked there are rules to English grammar. And spelling does count.

    Like commenter Jenny, I had been collecting tins and things like that since 2008 when I took that first class by Susan Kazmer (whose Industrial Chic line is used extensively by this dude) for the express purpose of making charms and bead caps and things. Actually I have been inspired by Beth Taylor's work with these items. Now that you have done your Harbinger collection so well, I have been deciding what else I can do with them. I will move on to other influences and ideas.

    I am so sorry that this keeps happening to you, Lorelei. Is there something that we can all do to help make Etsy wake up and take notice? Because you tell me who to start emailing and I will. I can string together a much better sentence than this clown.

    I know this might sound trite, but I hope you can enjoy the day in some way. Find your 'something good'. You have always been one of mine.

    Erin

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  56. Pitiful!! That's my description of the copycat necklace and the copycat himself. apparently it was established in above comments that it's a guy, aka "Dumb Criminal"! I surely hope you won't let this person of low morals and ethics keep you from being who you are, the one whom we all tune in to for a glimpse of your latest work!! On a daily basis!! It just wouldn't be the same, can't blame you for holding back, but don't let him dictate how you conduct your life/blog. The amount of support you have should see you through this invasion. Strength in numbers, don't forget, all of your followers and clients are loyal, that's what really matters. Hang in there!

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  57. OMG! Seriously how does this guy sleep at night?????

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  58. You designs are lovely I landed here via FB. I think there needs to be something done to protect artists from their designs being copied. I recently had a lady purchase my rose necklace, copy it & then had it published in Romantic Homes taking credit for something. I wrote to her I got back the nastiest response. I have been doing for years. Nothing can be done. So why ann I telling you all this.. I guess I know how you feel. It's devastating! As soon as you put your self out there the vultures are waiting. Continue to focus on your beautiful creations and I believe in the end it all works out for the best! I love this piece!!!

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  59. you'all may be interested to know that this particular fellow is choosing to "ignore" my direct convo because he doesn't like the "drama", and sees nothing wrong with copying, justifies it that why else would these designs be showed off if not to be copied.
    what what WHAT!? Is this guy for REAL??
    I did notice that the butterfly necklace has been removed from his etsy store. I'm wondering if Etsy made him remove it, becuase it doesn't seem like he would have done that on his own.

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  60. Well I'm glad to hear that the piece was removed, the cheek of it.

    Shame on him and good for you that you are standing up to this sort of dishonesty.

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  61. http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6555042&page=1

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  62. ...not okay. Wow.

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