When will some people ever realise that not everything on the Internet is “free for all” to take. Just because majority of the content on the Internet are publicly available, it doesn’t mean you are entitled to take and use it as your own. You don’t just dip your hand into the sea, fish out a design, redecorate and throw it back into the ocean as if nothing has happened. If everyone is doing it, what will happen to the design community in the future?
If we are talking about images found via Google search, they may also be protected by copyright or creative commons licenses. So what makes them think they can just use and edit it? Changing the colours doesn’t make it any more unique. All I ask for is a little respect for designs and art which I think all artists and designers out there are as well. The increase of such ignorant Internet users are really frustrating for us. I value inspiration and I’m sure all designers in our community will be glad to be a source of inspiration. But there’s also a thin line between inspiration and copying. After all the time and effort we spend working on a design, it got ripped off and the ripped design actually destroyed the original creativity and concept. Though I won’t get discouraged and will continue working on my designs, it’s actually depressing to know what happen to my creations. Will such acts cause creativity and originality to die out? What are your views?
I think I have just coin a new meaning for fishing – the act of copying in the online community. I thought it sounds nicer than just copying. =p On a last note, stop fishing for designs and create your own. Let’s work together to build a better community for everyone!
3 April, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I’d have to agree with this 100% and it’s very much applicable especially to those pictures which are circulating around the Tumblr world. Oftentimes, people use other people’s images, put some random text or tweak it and publish it online without any credits. Sheesh. It’s one crazy world now and people need to be re-educated on how to use the internet and its elements properly :s
3 April, 2010 at 12:56 pm
agree!! Man I saw a lot of designers whose work are being stolen off and it just pains me! This is why I always ask permission from artists. I usually get images from deviantart but wouldn’t use it without proper credits. I also tell my friends to credit artists’ work.
hhahaa!! Fishing for me has a different meaning. XD it’s because my brother keeps on using that term “fishing for compliments”. XD hahaa
I LOVE THE ILLUSTRATION!!
3 April, 2010 at 9:07 am
I agree though, it’s about time people stop stealing other people’s designs and make their own; it really isn’t all that difficult? Plus, I’m getting tired of seeing sites that are similar in style. I remember going through a few sites in a row and they all had the same premade. Not that there’s anything wrong with using premades, but like you said, nobody credits (of course, there are some that do credit). WHY? It’s not that difficult to say on a page, “I borrowed this from this site” or “so and so was my inspiration.” It almost makes me reconsider web-design in general; just about anyone can come on my site and claim everything as their own. Pretty sad, really.
3 April, 2010 at 11:50 am
We shouldn’t get discouraged. These things happen and I doubt the problem will ever disappear. It shouldn’t stop us from designing and doing something we like. On the bright side, like most say, copying is the best form of flattery.
3 April, 2010 at 8:26 am
I don’t know. I’d still use the word ‘copying’ because I’m just mean like that. =p I know how you feel though. It’s sad when people mistake things posted online as free-for-all, but it becomes very irritating when they use the following counter-argument: “Well, if you don’t want to be copied then don’t post it online!”.
3 April, 2010 at 7:27 am
Dayna!! I love your layout, it’s so cute!
Hehe.
Awwh, fishing definitely does sound better than copying. I think I’ll start using your term now!
And the graphic you made is really cute!
Have people been fishing your stuff? :P That’d be really rude if they did. I don’t know why people do that! Is it so hard to make something yourself? Who cares if it’s not the best, as long as you try your hardest!!
3 April, 2010 at 11:46 am
As a matter as fact, yes. If you browse through my Twitter, you will read about the saga. :P
3 April, 2010 at 3:00 am
I would be pretty angry and upset if I found someone who stole my design deliberately and felt no harm in doing so. Your designs are very unique and awesome, and no one should be able to take it and just change the colours and think its OK. It’s not OK. I can’t believe people think they won’t get caught. There are a ton of web designers out there, and we all visit different websites so she was bound to get caught. I’m glad you got in contact with the person, and hopefully she does change her layout and hopefully she does feel terrible about stealing from you.
3 April, 2010 at 2:15 am
While it’s very flattering, it’s also irritating. It’s one thing to be inspired, but to completely rip something off, and change it slightly is not creative. =/
3 April, 2010 at 1:10 am
It’s not good to steal people’s creativity or originality without prior consent from them…
3 April, 2010 at 12:46 am
Hello. (My english is not so good)
I’m sorry, I didn’t know that your designs were copyrighted and I would just use the base and change things later. I will remove everything… Don’t be angry… I just think that you are very good at designing…
3 April, 2010 at 1:10 am
Just thought you should know, everything is copyrighted on the Internet unless otherwise stated. Since you have password-protected your blog, I wouldn’t know whether you have really remove the design like you promised but I hope you keep your word.
2 April, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Well said
here here!
2 April, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Well said. I always give credit where it’s due even when I edit something (and I only edit something when it’s allowed). It’s just rude not to!
2 April, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Well said!!
I totally agree with you that it seems if people constantly copy nothing will be original anymore. Its hard to be unique when others are copying what you do. I’ve been ‘web designing’ for many years now, but I dont think my skills were really up to the level they are now until the past 2 years or so. I know that my graphic skills are no where near where I’d like them to be, but Im still proud of how far I’ve come. Ive never really had a ‘real’ site before, just lame geocities ones, so being hosted by the awesome vicky has given me a chance to really show what I can do. My site isnt open yet, but I hope that when it does people can respect the hard work I, and all other graphic makers, put into what we make. I think you have amazing skills and a style that is definitely your own, so when someone sees something they can say “hey, I know who made that!” I know that no one is perfect, myself included, but even if I dont remember where I got a brush, texture, etc I would never claim that I made it. I wish that people would learn how to respect other’s hard work and give them the credit and recognition they/we deserve.