(Image Copyright 2008 Andrew Potter)
A friend of mine posted this week about the struggle they're having with blogging and copycats. They're a particularly generous designer and they share their work on a regular basis. Unfortunately that has resulted in a handful of people feeling entitled to reproduce that work and claim it as their own. So it's one of those, how much is too much and at what point do you start to feel as if your willingness to be transparent and share your thoughts, ideas, projects and designs with others has crossed over into a reality where people feel it's all free for the taking? My friend is seriously considering shutting down their blog.
What makes some people feel that sharing your ideas is a free ticket for them to take your ideas and do with them as they please? I struggle with this myself. I find people reproducing my work in magazines, on blogs, in product lines and in Etsy shops and they rarely give me credit. I see projects that are derivative of my ideas constantly and there's no "Thanks Madge" for the inspiration anywhere to be found. Maybe it got lost in the mail. It's a simple courtesy, but I think it's important to always pay it both backwards and forwards. If someone inspires you, have the generosity to admit it.
I'm not here to give it all away. The internet isn't a ginormous free for all and everything that is posted online or in books or magazines isn't intended to be co-opted by others. The entire point of everything I do is to create a dialog and to inspire you to create it yourself. I have no interest in seeing people make the exact same thing I've made and pass it off as their own. Make it for yourself, but please don't take credit for or profit from my ideas.
That being said, I'm fully aware that I'm not reinventing the wheel here, people. I don't think that wrapping some beads with wire or throwing some ink on a page and turning it into a dimensional paper flower makes me Picasso. There are other artists in my industry with distinctive styles who are copied relentlessly and I consider them to be true artists. Most of what I do is explore ideas and materials to discover new directions for creativity. I like to think of myself as an explorer. Yes, I'm an artist, but most of what I share here is about exploration. I am here to inspire you to take the ideas and techniques I share here as prompts to explore those new directions further. I'm handing you a compass and sending you off on a pathway, but it's up to you to traverse it. Like my friend, I'm here to share my journey. Not just free ideas and free projects, but the ongoing process of creating success. I'm here to show you, gentle reader, that it is entirely possible to create your own uniquely wonderful journey and to do what you love, love what you do and enjoy every aspect of what it takes to make what you love into a career. The making of that career requires you to find your unique voice and forge your unique path, not copy someone else.
When I share a project with instructions, the intention is for you to make that for yourself or as a gift. I am not giving you permission to resell that idea, which is why I have a Creative Commons copyright license on my blog sidebar that clearly states you may not copy my work or make derivative works for resale. When a designer shares their ideas with you, they're giving you a gift. It's a gift that should be treated with reverence and gratitude. It's nice to hear an occasional, "Thank you" for the inspiration. It's hard to keep sharing if you feel like everyone is just there for the free stuff. I hope that you're not all here for the free stuff.
I struggle to find a balance between sharing freely and keeping some things for myself. I can't show my panties to everyone that asks. There is far more happening in my world that you don't know than you do. That is by design. A gal has to have a few delicious secrets and delightful surprises.
I wish you the joy that comes from finding your own voice. I hope that my little blog, my books, my videos and my ideas are inspiring you to take that journey.
xoxo,
Madge
18 comments:
Amen.
Sadly I see this more and more on the blogs, the same as I did years ago when decorative artists were sharing with each other on YAHOO groups, Picturetrail sites, etc. I just posted on another blog that its a shame that people feel that an artist work is here for the taking on the web. We get ripped off in so many ways - all artists do - by the catalog trolls that rt click and swipe our ideas, then reproduce overseas and sell in their catalogs, undercutting the original artist. I've had talented artist friends of mine who have had their works stolen, made into figurines, fabrics, etc..and what a COSTLY legal battle it was for them to get their just due. It's a shame that one has to plaster their Copyright stamp over almost an entire picture..and even then, it doesn't stop the stealing of ideas.
The artist that steals from another, in my opinion, is the lowest of the low and they ultimately hurt not just us - but themselves - because it ruins the spirit of true sharing.
This is truly a sad blog you have posted. I understand, as I am certain many do, what it is to have an idea or project stolen. Would these same people go into a store and steal something?
Something to consider is do these people realize they have taken someone else's idea? As I work on Ideas for projects of my own, I think I have something that is original only to find it already out there. I am actually afraid to start a blog because I might unintentionally take someone's ideas. I do not even want to say my idea for a blog because if it is not already out there, it will be once I put it in print!
What ever may happen with my future work, I shall always be sure to mention those people whose blogs, books, etc I have read and therefore have inspired me.
I hope you continue to share your creative genius with us. I truly appreciate what you do and who you are
Thank you both for your insightful comments. It's part of the deal of putting yourself out there that these things will happen. We all have to decide where to draw the line. I do think it's sad when I see big companies stealing art and reselling it, because that's such a large scale slap in the face.
I'm not going anywhere and I am reminding myself always not to let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
Love
Madge
well my dear, that's really all we can do...keep on creating and sharing, and know that we are out there inspiring the populous!
I have taught many people things, in real life, to have them take credit for them right in front of my face -without even a simple honorable mention! I think that's worse...it actually makes you feel sick inside....and then petty because you're even worrying about such a 'silly'? thing?.....
give out what you are prepared to loose, I was once told....
i suppose that is terribly true...
i understand where you're coming from! originality, it's a hard thing to come by thesedays....
thanks for sharing..
carmelina
ciao!
have a nice weekend
Carmelina
I agree, we have to know that once we've released it, we can't control how other people use it.
The problem is that people are profiting on ideas that don't belong to them and that's theft. I don't owe anyone my ideas for their profit, unless they give me a percentage! It's illegal and it's lame. It's just too expensive to pursue it all.
It's all food for thought.
Cheers,
Madge
As a writer, photographer and artist, I feel you distress, but ideas and information can not be copy righted...only tangibles. It isn't fair, but the only way to prevent use or theft of such, is not to share at all.
I don't know about all of you, but there is not enough time on this good earth for me to pursue and create from all the ideas and info crowding my brain...If I actually make something, please don't copy it without my permission, but if I share, do with it what you will
Mari
If someone copied your photos or your words and started selling them without your permission or credit, then I imagine you'd not be a happy camper.
Techniques are one thing...but exact copies are a whole different animal and if it's published, it is indeed under copyright. It's not just my ideas that people steal, people have copied and pasted entire pages from my blog and website into theirs without credit. So you can see where I might be upset and where my friend who has has their work copied and mass produced for profit might be upset.
Sorry, but it's not a free for all. It's a conversation.
Cheers,
Madge
I'm a professional nerd (aka a PhD candidate employed as an instructor in the halls of academia), and this is something my colleagues and I grapple with all the time. It's always surprising to consider the broader applications of theft and, in effect, plagiarism. What's really the difference between copying and pasting what you find in a book or on a website without referencing those sources, and stealing and replicating the creative ideas of other artists? The issue becomes even more complex when one starts considering the profitability of such endeavors.
I suppose the larger problem becomes whether the crimes of some outweigh the appreciation and gratitude of others. There really isn't a right answer. It's a complicated problem that one must decide for him or herself. I suppose more than anything it saddens me that the goal of a collaborative community of artists is so difficult to realize, and I think that in the face of this it's easy to become disillusioned and angry.
Margot, what you and your fellow artists do is provide your students and fans with sources of inspiration and useful information about techniques. It is up to us to head off into the wild blue yonder and make something that is distinctly our own out of them. You and your artist friend(s) give us all a starting point; you give us the basic skills, the building blocks, and encourage us to use them in new and original ways. For that, I thank you.
CP
CP
This is a sticky wicket indeed, I have been pondering it here for a while. Thank you for participating in the dialog and for the kind words.
I think that's it, it should be about inspiration. I hope I'm inspiring others to "create without filters." Because that's why I'm here...it's the only reason I'm here.
Love
Madge
"Mari
If someone copied your photos or your words and started selling them without your permission or credit, then I imagine you'd not be a happy camper.
Techniques are one thing...but exact copies are a whole different animal and if it's published, it is indeed under copyright. It's not just my ideas that people steal, people have copied and pasted entire pages from my blog and website into theirs without credit. So you can see where I might be upset and where my friend who has has their work copied and mass produced for profit might be upset.
Sorry, but it's not a free for all. It's a conversation."
Margot...indeed I would be upset and so should you...using ideas is one kettle of fish but blatant copy and reuse is theft...
Mari
This is a fantastic dialogue...especially for someone who's just a novice trying to make a way in the crafty world. Outright copying and profiting from it seems clear in violation, but it's always hard to figure out where inspiration ends and begins. I hope I do right by those artists that inspire me because having core values in my "real job" as an airman translates into having those core values in my "fun job" as an artist. Integrity's a great thing...thanks, Madge, and all the rest in this chain for helping spread that word.
Jen
margot it is important to keep talking about this.
Mari
Thank you! I too feel that ideas should be freely shared, I also feel it's important for people to understand the lines and how to avoid crossing them!
Cheers,
Madge
Jen
Thank your for your thoughtful comment. I am blessed to have some truly wonderful readers.
Cheers,
Madge
Corrinne
I think you are right. We have to keep talking so that people become aware.
Cheers,
Madge
I found that reading your blog and others, like the person who are talking about, I really started to understand about copyrights etc. Now mom & I are very careful in what we put out and I am extremely careful, hopefully, to acknowledge where the supplies that I used in that specific piece of jewelery. I have copied your wisdom on my blog but made sure you get the credit. I think when you first start being creative and going into a business with it, that more information should be put our there aka beading magazines etc about copyrights/copying etc. You know what is wrong/right but you don't know how truly horrible someone is.
I hope that made sense!!
Jolene
Jolene
It definitely made sense. I think it's a matter of continuing to educate the people who don't know and shine a lot on the people who do know and don't care.
We'll make a dent yet!
xoxo
Madge
AMEN my friend!!!
Jolene:)
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