Comments on: Is Imitation the Sincerest Form of Flattery???

By: Mary Ellen Leach

Mary Ellen Leach — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:17:58 +0000

This prooves that Elum is the trend setter….Thee BEST. You set the trends with your original inventive designs & the younger, more inexperienced ones follow. Its just part of life, unfortunately. Its hard to view it this way when someone is taking the easy road & profitting fromn YOUR design & taking your business, I know…it turns my stomach to think about! You all are tops…The Best. Just try to find some comfort in that. I’ve loved & studied print & paper for 20 years…& your designs speak to so many people…I just wish some of these people would see how fabulous ORIGINAL design is, & give it a whirl before ripping off the masters.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:40:15 +0000

as a designer, i always groan when someone comes into our studio with photos, tear sheets, etc. of other invitations they want to copy. we never do it and we can always sit together and come up with something fresh and new. that’s so much more interesting! as someone who enjoys the creative process, where’s the creativity in copying?!

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:23:31 +0000

Funny, we were just about to do a blog with the same title! As a retailer we face it on two fronts: trying to keep customers from photographing invitations they like (to “show someone”) either at the store or at bridal fairs. And on a different level, trying to keep our store fresh and different, only to have another store open in our ‘backyard’ with the same lines we carry! I feel your frustration!

By: Renee

Renee — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:10:24 +0000

Hi Melissa & Brad,

Oh what timing. I was going back to catch up on your blog — unfortunately, it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Actually tonight as a matter of fact, I posted a blog I wrote a few weeks ago that are tips to help brides when selecting wedding invitations. A couple of the tips mention the issue of copyrighted designs. I think the brides need to hear this as much as other companies and as retailers we feel your pain too. We recently had another store open up close by that happens to be much smaller and though they’re colors are different, they are essentially trying to copy the product mix we’ve so lovingly and painstakingly created for our customers over the last 6 years. It too is frustrating and we have no way to guard against it. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and as you said, I entirely disagree! I hope things turn around for you and I would put them on notice!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:14:52 +0000

I feel your pain and have been there more times than I would like. That line about the flattery is just irritating. All I can say is that with your creativity, you are always going to be one step ahead of the copy cats! That doesn’t take the sting away, nonetheless. Keep up the amazing work:)

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:39:27 +0000

As a bride (and designer) I totally understand your frustration. I do appreciate the fact that you pointed them out though, most people wouldn’t. As a bride planning a wedding I will make sure I don’t send a penny to anyone that makes a living out of copying someone else’s hard work. Thanks again!

By: Stephanie J Designs

Stephanie J Designs — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:17:55 +0000

Oh! I am so with you. I am so annoyed when this happens to me … and to make matters even worse (since people who do this obviously have no style or design sense of their own) the copy-cat usually does a lame job at replication … just adds insult to the injury. Kudos to you for calling the culprit out!!

By: Anzu

Anzu — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:42:03 +0000

Hi, I would just like to offer sympathies. I produce stationery too and have had this happen to me. Now I would sue just to set an example. I love the way you’ve named and shamed on your blog! Very brave and the right thing to do. I also think that by the time someone has copied you, you are already on to the next thing – probably something better whilst they can only follow…

By: rose chan siow

rose chan siow — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:42:25 +0000

I’m inspired by other artists and there is clearly a difference between INSPIRATION and flat out COPYING. I’d be enraged.
To play devil’s advocate . . . I think when something becomes commonplace such as the design of the envelopes in elum’s boxed desk set . . . is it copying or just a design trend? I have a similar stationery set that I purchased in Rome (Medici by Rossler) in 2001. Should I think that elum has copied the design or that hey, it is coincidence — there is only so much you can do with an envelope!
Or can it be that some artists have been inspired to come up with similar designs? The examples you’ve shown appear to be infringing on creative copyright. I’ve come up with designs completely on my own and to discover that there were similar ones on etsy. I get bummed because I don’t want them to think that I am “copying” their idea or vice versa.
The upside is that there are so many creative individuals out there who are inspiring a beautiful movement. Many who work hard to create one of a kind designs — it is up to us, the artists, to heed and pay respect to our fellow artisans to NOT copy.
I love your work and I hope that you won’t have to experience these “per-paper-trators” again.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:50:13 +0000

While I completely agree that these above examples are way too obvious to be purely coincidental, I do feel that I have to address something that has been on my mind regarding the inspiration/copying thing. Sorry in advance if this irks someone.

The example of the interlocking circles design is not exactly original. This motif is actually a pretty old design (by that I mean centuries) and it has been used in various applications ever since. Of course, there are also different variations on a similar theme; I have an interlocking marquis design. Since mine is a slightly different shape and was ‘inspired’ by Moroccan tile design, is this considered copying? If not, can I call dibs on anything remotely associated with interlocking circles, that are printed in purple? It just seems that at times this topic becomes too ridiculous to be meaningful anymore.

Here’s another example: When I first began printing, I really wanted to create a wicker (caning) motif and I began to work on it. Before I had completed my design, I was out shopping and came across one of your desk sets that features a very similar design to the one I was working to create. Of course, I stopped what I was doing and didn’t give it another thought because I didn’t want to be accused of copying— even though I love surface design and texture and again, the place of inspiration was different. When I next saw the motif, Target was using it in their summer collection. Were they copying your design, or Victorian era chair caning for a retro mid-century modern feel? Who knows? It’s a popular design; it’s been used for clothing, housewares, wallpaper, handbags and, of course, stationery. Again, it isn’t particularly original.

I guess what I am getting at, is at what point does something become a copied design? A double border? A single? Polkadot background? Gingham stripes?

Like I said earlier, these “designs” of Dolce Press’ seem to be more than merely coincidental, especially since it seems to be a common occurrence. And as a designer, I think copying sucks. I just also think that in some instances we need to use a little bit more perspective.