In my previous post, “Rely on Others, Depend on Yourself’, I talked about the fact that while it’s ok to accept help from others in business, ultimately your success depends on you. I mentioned a recent thing that happened and how I chose to rise above it and move forward. However, behind-the-scenes a few people told me about their own experiences so it had me thinking that this is a topic which might be helpful to address further…
Copycats…and how to deal with them.
If you’re new to having your own online business the first thing you should know is that copycats are inevitable. It happens in every business and it’s been happening forever. It’s nothing new.
A few years ago when I first started out, I never worried about copycats or people stealing my work. I mean, why would they? I was new and still growing…and still am. I’m not one of the top, more known, creators out there so it didn’t feel like it would ever be an issue for me. Nonetheless, I joined an anti-piracy group to support the cause. The group was started by a few top tier designers but consists of all levels of creators. Even though I was new, I believe in originality and don’t think it’s fair that artists spend their hard work and time creating a product, only to have it copied or worse…given away on some site for free.
A year or so later into my business, I finally started getting my own taste of it. I was told by several customers that a product of mine was being given away for free. They told me the site and I checked it out. Indeed it was my product that was being handed out completely free to anyone who wanted to download it. Then it happened again…and again. It was nice to have people looking out for me but really, I didn’t think there was much I could do about it. You get one taken down, another pops up.
As I mentioned in my previous post, it’s very common for top creators to get their work copied. This happens in every business. Look at some of your most popular designer brands and you’ll see a slew of copycats that follow. Most times these are more cheaply made versions by less popular designers. It’s not fair but sort of expected. As a rule, these copycats don’t have the same exposure or popularity of the big designers they’re copying from but what happens when it’s the other way around?
A quick internet search will bring up more than a few instances of large retail brands stealing designs from smaller, independent creators. It especially isn’t fair as smaller indie creators don’t have the same large platform or following as the big brand does. They work hard to gain a following and earn a living only to have some big fish come in and steal an idea from them. Unfortunately most indie creators don’t have the money or resources to fight a legal battle (although some do try) and the big brands know this… so most times they get away with it.
I should mention that there’s been instances where two creators have the same idea for a product at the same time. It’s rare but does happen. Also, everyone copies someone at some point. It could simply be just a matter of copying an idea. I’m no legal expert but I don’t believe ideas can be copyrighted. As I’ve mentioned, there’s really very few completely new and original ideas out there to begin with. Whether intentional or not, we’ve all probably copied an idea at some point. In my particular market, it’s hard not to. For example, how many watercolor brush sets are out there? A lot…because no one creator owns that idea. However, I know that I personally try to go out of my way to put my own original spin to any product I create.
So when a customer of mine told me about a new product that was eerily similar to mine, I had to go see what it was all about.
First, let me say that I spent weeks researching the idea for my own product to see what was (and wasn’t) already out there, then spent several more weeks to make it as original as possible. So though I can’t say for certain that my product idea was the very first of its kind (there’s no full proof way to know)- I am absolutely confident that it definitely was one of the first. So much so that it quickly gained popularity and became one of my best sellers. That someone would eventually copy the idea didn’t surprise me – but the fact that the creator in question was/is much more popular than me…absolutely did.
Now I don’t believe we have a gripe when a product idea is similar to ours OR if it’s a different idea but some of the elements are the same. However, when it’s both (as it was in this instance)…well that gets a little too close for comfort. I don’t know whether this creator intentionally copied me because there’s a chance (albeit a real tiny one) that they didn’t. And yet, since we all sell on the same marketplaces…it’s hard not to see what other creators are putting out there.
So yeah…I had my first copycat. Perhaps not from a legal standpoint but certainly from an ethical one. It’s annoying and a bit flattering at the same time. However, when a top creator copies a less popular one, it tells me a few things; 1) I’m on the right track, 2) they’re starting to burn out on originality and 3) their place among the top may not be as secure as it once was. The marketplaces may very well still push for them, they will still make sales and that’s fine by me. Besides being a little disappointed in the lack of originality from a top creator I once held in high esteem, I hold no ill will and truly wish them well. I’m a big supporter of other artists of any level.
Yet even if a copycat product is done well (as admittedly this one was) we should expect more from top creators. If they start no longer giving us originality, it means there’s an opening for more of us to step in to provide it…and that’s the mindset I’m going to latch on to. I’ll keep spinning my brain to try and create original and (hopefully) popular products that help that can support other artists in their own work. To me, that’s how to handle a copycat, especially when the copycat is someone more popular than you are.
So when the time comes that it happens to you (and if you’ve got good ideas it very likely will) look at the bigger picture. You can be upset and complain (as is your right) or even take legal action (if you think you have a case)… or you can see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to be even more original.
Just like the customer who told me about this recent copycat, other customers will start to notice too. People will see your work is original. It will take time but if you continue doing your thing by creating quality products with an original spin, you’ll get ahead and soon you’ll be top tier. Sure, protect your work from these copycats however you can but instead of focusing on them, focus on yourself and your own work.
Be creative and original as possible. Be confident. Be determined. That’s how you move forward and get ahead.
That’s how you rise above.
Until next time…
