Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I Hate Copycats.....

This post has been whirling in my mind for a couple of months now. I have never known whether to voice my concerns, or be silent on the issue. I have commented on other people's Facebook posts on copycats, but it has happened to me so many times of late that I feel I can no longer ignore it.

While I wont name names, Im hoping that people out there who kindly follow and even purchase my work will be able to distinguish between my work that has been made with love, attention and quality, and the work of other people that has been copied.

I first experienced copycat makers a few years ago when someone I met through markets began doing some work that was very similar. Silently I was peeved but didnt ever say anything. How could I prove that my work was done before hers? I carried on regardless but kept an eye on her work from afar.

Late last year there was an occasion when something was made that closely resembled an item I had made and sold - again I wondered if my work was the original or if it was simply a coincidence that we'd produced very similar items.


Last month I stumbled across a direct copy of one of my music necklaces at a shop - actually copied by someone who was having a stall next to mine a few weeks previously...The sad thing is though, the necklace was made poorly with bubbles and dodgy materials, and yet the price tag was double what my necklaces sell for retail! I was actually physcially shocked when I made the discovery, and had trouble carrying on my conversation with my stockist. I still cant believe the audacity of someone who so openly copies another artist's work - do they think we are stupid? Do they think we wont notice?

I have spent hundreds of hours researching my glues, findings, wood and suppliers. I have made things but rejected them because of quality and because I want to ensure my work is going to last. I have given away pieces for free to people so they can test their quality and longevity before I sell them. I dont charge very much for my work because I want it to be affordable. Each time I sell a piece I get a thrill because people like it enough to part with their hard earned money. I build relationships with my suppliers and in turn my stockists...

Some pieces I love so much that when a person buys it I want to chat to them about the history of the piece, where I got the image from, and maybe how they could even keep in touch so I can follow the progress and development of my piece (of course I dont, people would think Im totally loopy! But sometimes it feels like a child who has left home!).

Anyhow, today I feel totally bewildered by yet another copy - a person using vintage illustrations and making brooches and necklaces. At first I thought it was scrapbook paper, but I now recognise an illustrator's work and know for certain that the image is vintage. It makes me sad on one hand to know that person is unable to create their own ideas, but angry that they continue to copy. It isnt as if we live in another country from each other.

I'd heard on the grapevine that this was happening when a stranger found out I was the being behind Otter and Wombat, and congratulated me on my beautiful work at this particular shop...I was polite and told her that wasnt actually my work, and that I stocked in a shop across the road from there, but thank you anyhow. What I should have said was that the work she complimented was a copy of mine and that I was being under-cut!

I dont know peoples...do I hang up my files and give it all away? Do I fight for my craft and speak to  my stockists and retailers about what is happening? Or do I develop my work into something even more unique and await the next wave of copies? At the moment it makes me all very sad...... sniff.

Hanky required...





11 comments:

  1. Unfortunately in the market & craft world, there will always be copies. I have been to plenty of markets where you come across something wonderful & unique only to find a few weeks or months later every second stall is selling either something similar or exactly the same. I am not sure what your relationships are like with your stockists, but maybe a quiet conversation about how thankful you are for their faith in your product & you have began to notice similar products popping up but not of the same quality. Definitely don't throw the towel in but rather sit back, keep providing the top quality, customer service & beautiful unique gifts that you lovingly create and remember mimicry is only a form of flattery.

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    1. Hmmmm, like your take Sarah about thanking the stockist and commenting on the similar products..... And I think you should IMMEDIATELY copyright your quote "mimicry is only a form of flattery"!

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  2. Hi Zoe!
    I know exactly what you mean. I'm fuming myself today after seeing an exact copy of one of my original products. I'm completely appalled actually. It makes it so much worse when the copier is local - it's a small Tasmanian market. I can't understand why people can't get their own ideas. Urgh.

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    1. Hi Jacquie - gutting isnt it. Like being kicked in the stomach. Im a fan of your goods and was annoyed that we were so busy at the Barn Market and didnt get to come and see your work!

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  3. Don't you dare hang up your files Zoe. I totally get how angry and frustrated this must make you feel. I'm not sure many suppliers would be sympathetic but maybe event organizers would be after they want affordable quality which will keep attracting people to their events. It would be worth discussing with them, and also stockists who would then have limited profitability, and seeing if you can convince them that there is benefit for them too in helping preserve your reputational value. Best of luck.

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    1. Such a catch 22 - we want our brand to get out there and proudly publicise, but that inturn brings attention from copycats. I like your idea about preserving reputational value. xxx

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  4. Oh Zoe I am so sad to read this today. Copycats are bitter sweet. Sweet that someone sees the beauty in what you make enough to copy, bitter in that it is YOURS and they should not take it from you...
    As someone once said - don't get bitter, get better!
    People copy Tiffany & Co all the time, but it's not Tiffany.
    Your work is amazing. Don't stop. Let your passion fuel something.
    I won the magnificent pieces you donated to Lisa King's auction - they are living in our little 3 bedroom retro house in Miami (Gold Coast) and I love them xxxxx
    I hope tomorrow is a better day. Don't let the buggers get you down. x

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    1. Hi Lizzy, thank you SO much for your words of encouragement, and also for being such a supporter of handmade. Have you read the recent blog by Lisa King? Your donation has helped her in such a big way - thank you.xxx

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  5. I'm a huge fan of your work Zoe, and I get excited for you when I see your work in shops, I also get constant compliments on my necklaces (my fav at the mo is the Robin Red Breast) Don't give up! Mum tends to find the same issues also with her work :-( Cheers and keep up the great work, Kate (& Linda)

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    1. Thanks Kate, so glad the Robin Red Breast is flying proudly - Autumn is the time for robins!

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  6. Such a horrible situation, Zoe - but like everyone else commenting here, I just wanted to say 'don't give up!' You produce such beautiful quality items, and if you still love what you create and love the process of creating it, it's worth presevering despite the nasty copycats. Sadly imitation is something many designers have to combat, but speaking out is the right things to do - loyal customers and stockists will always support those producing quality, unique work such as yours.

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