What do you do when your product is knocked off?

[Hdesign]

I've been watching this thread with A LOT of interest and since Scott brought my name up in an example I'll add my $.02 for what it's worth.

What I provide is a service, I produce intangible design solutions to problems. The only product I produce currently is a print of the final design. The intellectual property is owned by myself and/or my client depending on the agreement.

There is no more difficult position to be in than a designer/artist when it comes to protecting intellectual property and art. It's a real Catch 22. 25% of my week is spent battling someone from using unauthorized art in ads, or attempting to sell multiple prints and shirts from a design I've done in the past, or a shop ripping off an innovative design element a client paid me to. All they have to do is ask and we can figure out something that is mutually beneficial.

Then again, I do like having my work viewable as marketing assets. Potential clients need to see my thought process in order to feel confident in my services. I have to hang intellectual property out in the breeze for all to see, knowing that it's going to get ripped off and I won't get credit. It happens more than I'd like to admit.

I have to be a rabid pitbull sometimes and it's incredibly frustrating. Some people are either totally ignorant to intellectual property laws or they flat out don't give a damn. They don't realize/care that this is what puts food on a designer/artist's table. They're literally stealing from my family.

That said, I'm moving into the next phase of my business plan which includes development of parts, prints and apparel. The amount of legal BS that I've been dealing with for the past 12 months is insane, but I want to be sure I'm protected from every single angle against this stuff. I know I'm not going to stop every lazy slug from ripping off something but I'll at least be able to sleep at night.

The other aspect that's helpful is communities like this where we can expose these practices to some degree. If we can shed light on the situation, I'm confident people will make the right choice when they're shopping.