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Idea
and design theft is an ongoing problem for those of us who sell
online. Ebay has their share as do other places, such as message
boards. This is why we register all our designs with the Library
of Congress as federally protected copyrights. Not only does
this strengthen the court's ability to slam the hammer down on
thieves, it also allows us to collect damages and force infringers
to relinquish all items they have produced illegally. The intent
of the law is to make it more costly and difficult to steal designs
and images than it is to profit from them. Fortunately, the world
has become much smaller due to the internet, making it more difficult
for thieves to get away with it. Our customers from all over
have helped us catch several people at stores, shows, fairs,
flea markets, internet sites and auctions... people who had stolen
our photos and designs. Our works are our life blood and our
stance is that violators will be (and have been) prosecuted to
the fullest extent of the federal law, and that means we collect
attorney's fees, court costs, post public notices, siezure of
goods, and everything we can to create a loss of income and reputation
for this scourge of the internet. We retain a copyright attorney
specifically for this purpose.
We
are grateful for loyal patrons who have spotted some unscrupulous
people. Thanks to them we have been successful in catching several
design thieves from Idaho, California, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Pennsylvania, Florida, California and Texas and stop them in
their tracks. Any potential thieves will regret testing our resolve
on this issue!
But
it is not just about us. We are extremely concerned for other
designers and innocent photographers, too. We keep our eyes open
on behalf of fellow artists and have reported to them when we
find people on or offline, illegally selling their designs or
making copies inspired by their works. We have found that supporting
each other in this manner has helped the ongoing fight against
people without ethics who troll the internet, lurking for opportunity
to profit off of someone else's original creativity.
We
encourage people to develop their own individuality and not degrade
themselves by stealing from others. It's more costly to your
reputation and pocketbook in the long haul, especially with our
growing network of fellow artists. As some have already found
out, the internet has made this a very small world. We would
prefer to be your friend and support your creativity and not
be your enemy and fight your theft.
We
also ask that when you encounter a design theft that you choose
to not patrionize the copycatters and instead let them know you
disapprove when you come across them and forward the information
to the original designer.
If
you are in the business of creating and selling designs on T-Shirts,
Mugs, Mousepads, Cards, Giclee and other printed media, we invite
you to join us in fighting this problem and not contribute to
it. YOU could be the next person who gets ripped off. And it
is very much a slam against you when you steal the works of a
fellow creator for your subject. Word travels fast. Develop some
ethics and creativity of your own! You'll be happier and and
so will those in business around you.
Thank you!
Tommy
& Sharon O'Brien-Lykins
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