Is Imitation Really the Sincerest Form of Flattery?
How I handle being copied in my business.
Well, Oscar Wilde, I can’t quite say I agree, because sometimes imitation can feel icky.
My work, website, brands, design, products, etc have been copied a lot in the past 10 years. I typically stumble on someone every few months that is leaning a bit too heavily on my designs as ‘inspiration’. Sometimes I note it and keep an eye on them, sometimes I reach out to them, and sometimes I simply move on.
But, this past week I had someone take it to a whole new level.
Never have I experienced this level of copying {imitation} before. So, I wanted to share with you how I handled it and how I’ve dealt with past experiences.
No.1 Screenshot Like Crazy
This latest one probably took me the most time to screenshot, as it was not only every page on my site but also my quiz, my photoshoot, my products, my Instagram, my freebie, etc.
I typically do side-by-side comparisons and try to find the published date on theirs. That can get tricky on websites, but if they post on social media, you’ll able to find the publish trail.
You can also look at the date of their Terms & Agreement or inspect their images to see when it was uploaded to the site.
No.2 Take a Beat & Notify Your Attorney
*The opinions and information provided do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice*
I usually take a few hours to cool down, because I truly believe ‘Cooler Heads Prevail’. Unfortunately (yet fortunately) I don’t get emotional about copying anymore unless they are directly selling a product they stole from me. The worst thing you can do is write an email when you are very pissed off ;)
I will notify my attorney and give them a heads-up that I might need them to send a Cease & Desist letter.
P.S. I do have a trademark and HIGHLY recommend doing so. You can learn MORE HERE or even purchase THIS C&D for social media (code: SAFFRONAVENUE for 10% off ;).
No.3 Don’t Blast ‘Em
As much as you might want to head to social media and put them on blast, be careful. That could get turned around on you (defamation). I’m sure that could take a lot, but it’s not worth the risk IMO.
If I’m sharing it online, I do my best to hide their business and name (and you’ll see I hid her face too). They are still people and I truly don’t want people attacking them, especially if it was an accident.
No.4 Lead with Kindness
This will be hard in some cases, but typically the copycats I deal with have either designed something too similar to my own or my shop's products. They aren’t always identical, but when you have followers or clients who can’t tell a difference between yours and theirs..well, that can be an issue.
I will email them first and let them know it was disheartening to see how similar their designs were to mine and how valuable it is to differentiate yourself in this industry. Not only that, but I explain how important it is to design from the heart, even if someone else’s designs inspire you.
I do believe that sometimes it is an accident and I can handle that. I typically ask them to re-design or remove the copied work {by a deadline} and try to create something that makes them stand out.
*NOTE: if someone has stolen something from you {like a course or product} or did something like my example above, I do skip the pleasantries and let them know they need to remove it within a set timeframe or it will get legal and my attorney will email them.
But, most times I’ll either get an honest email back apologizing or I’ll see that they removed it.
No.5 Get Legal.. if needed
Some may fight and I’ve had that happen before too. I’ve sent Cease & Desists and my attorney has even sent one via certified mail. However, one did try to fight back. At that point, I had to decide if it was worth the money, the time, and the mental load to take it on. The fact that she was selling a cheap version of my showit templates, I knew my customers and hers were not the same.. so it wasn’t worth the fight.
No.6 Move on
I know it might not be ideal, but don’t let this ruin you. If there is anything I’ve learned, it’s that nobody can be you.
People may try, but I don’t think anyone can duplicate my hand and my heart. That’s something that comes from within and yearssss of practice ;)
