An easy way for us to report copied designs?

[KittyValentine]

Just a thought because I had to report another Zazzle designer who blatantly copied one of my designs - or better, design themes - including hex codes and everything:

I know we can report a design and that is pretty straight forward but after that one needs to send an email with all kinds of statements and a signature.

It would be great if there was an online form that one can fill out with everything the content review team needs plus the possibility to upload screenshots. I tried to put everything into my email (plus the legal statements that are required according to the email I got?) but that's pretty cumbersome and I wonder how many designers really do that?

I guess all I want is the possibility to flag a design quickly and have Zazzle look into it and decide if it's a copy or just a similar design but not a copy 🙂

[PenguinPower]

Unless the design contains original artwork, you probably have little recourse. Layout is not protected under copyright… 

[Cat]

I think Penguin is correct about what sorts of things are copyright protected, but in terms of reporting, there is the "report this design" link in the "about this design" section (where the description appears.) I've used that to report people who have stolen my artwork, I just include the product number or link to my product using my original artwork in the comment box, and it's always worked fine for me.

[CreativeLeahG]

Nope

Many of us had our best-selling designs copied (some are now editors' picks) and there's not a thing we can do about it.

[CreativeLeahG]

@KittyValentine  Your designs are absolutely stunning meanwhile!! 

[KittyValentine]

Thank you @CreativeLeahG ! It really is a shame if nothing is done about it.

Yes I know, layout is a tricky one but in my case it's not just the layout, it's a (available to buy) graphic that was altered in exactly the way I did to match mine, the hex codes were copied, the seamless pattern that I used was copied as well and even parts of my font choices. I don't want to post the designs anywhere but if you compare the two then they are just so similar that you know it's a copy.

For now I'll just keep an eye on the designer's account and I blocked her on my Instagram - not that that helps but at least that's something 🙂

[DancingPelican]

@KittyValentine. Have you tried contacting the designer who copied your design and ask them to take it down? I had something similar happen to me recently. I sent a chat message to the offending designer and they were kind enough to remove the design from their store. It’s worth a try.

[KittyValentine]

@DancingPelicanI have not, I'll wait and see what Zazzle does now that they have my email and information 🙂 Good for you that they took down the design!

[GYG]

It is recommended that zazzle set up a plagiarism report page and publish it. If there is no processing and reply within three days, zazzle will forcibly remove the plagiarism or close the shop of the plagiarist, and reserves the right to prosecute for the longest time

[CreativeLeahG]

@KittyValentine 

Unfortunately, kitty unless it is 100% identical, it is likely nothing will be done, I've been down this road. BUT it's always worth a try. You could reach out to the designer (politely) and let them know that while you appreciate they enjoy your work to please not replicate it.

[KittyValentine]

@CreativeLeahGI guess I am spoiled from another site where they are super-strict when it comes to copied designs and design themes 😅 but I should have known better seeing how many copies of designs are floating around here on the market place...

I am not going down that road any further, I'll focus on creating more designs and just hope that she and any other copycats stay away from them - or at least next time she might come up with her own color hex codes 😆