Design by Co-Net

Influence and Plagiarism – The Fine Line

10th April, 2009 - Posted by Jordan - No Comments

Most designers would agree that the worst thing anyone in the creative industry can do, is copying the work of another designer/company. Blatant plagiarism is insulting and hurts our industry. I recently discovered a severe case of such practice from a local design company who had taken a logo, created by a world-renowned company as part of one of their product lines, and sold it as their own design for a new company (who in turn thought they were getting their own, original design).

I won’t name and shame the company as I wouldn’t want to cause any conflict or possibly damage the business of the company in question but I felt it wise to discuss the matter.

It is a huge shame that the company lacked the integrity, skill and even enthusiasm for their industry to sit down and develop an original brand and more so, a body of work they could be proud of. It is sickening that they would charge the client for a lazy, lack-lustre job that could also have legal implications that, at the very least, could result in a full rebrand (more time and money spent on developing and applying the branding to vehicles, stationary signage etc.) or worse… a hefty lawsuit. It has the potential to damage the company in big ways.

Again, I don’t know all of the details involved in the project etc. I am only able to comment on what I see.

A lot of people say there is a fine line between influence and plagiarism. The company in question clearly stand on side of that line and it’s such a shame to see this in such a competitive and ever growing industry.