Relentless Copycat
October 5th, 2006 Filed in: News & Updates Jump to commentsA fellow visitor contacted me today regarding my Illustrator tutorials being ripped by a web development company, called Prowebb. This is not the first time my work has been STOLEN. It shocked me when I’m being doubted about not being the original author of the materials. When I kindly asked for my work to be taken off their website, the response I got in return was: “How do I know you are the original owner of the content.” How can I prove it? Well, some of the tutorial screenshots have my logo on it.
It is illegal to publish any copyright material on a website without giving credit and being authorized to do so. Besides the law, there is also an ethical aspects involved. All people, not just designers, know the basic concept of claiming work that is not yours to be established as stealing. You can be inspired by someone else’s work but don’t steal. Your actions reflect your personality, and to certain extent, your capabilities. Ironically, this company is providing web design and development services.
The last email I got from them was: “I will have the tutorials you mentioned below modified to insure they are not breaking any laws.” So, does this mean it is ok to steal, as long you can find a way to around the laws?
Final Update & Conclusion
Oct 27, 2006
Prowebb has finally accepted my request and removed all my tutorials on their site. And as I promised, I have removed all screen captures and links that are referenced to Prowebb in my post. Thank you for all your support. You guys have made a difference.
October 6th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Thanks guys. This is exactly my point. What are they thinking? Internet is so small, there is no way they can get away with this.
No apology, nothing. In fact, what I got was “how do I know you are original owner”. Hello, wake up! Look at the screencap, there is my logo.
October 6th, 2006 at 9:37 am
They are lazy, wicked, ignorant buggers who don’t know the difference between ‘insure’ and ‘ensure’!! (see above). Don’t worry though - we know when how to spot classey designers and designs! Good luck, and keep your head up!
October 6th, 2006 at 9:14 am
they sell design but they have tutorials on the site.HA HA, what do they want …there customers to learn how to do the art work them selves . im off to give them some shit.
take it easy dog keep up the good work
October 6th, 2006 at 8:37 am
Sue the bastards!
October 6th, 2006 at 8:32 am
Unfortunely this thinks still happen on the net. Is hard to protected your work of people that don’t have ideas enough to create their own material.
At least they could get your some credits.
October 6th, 2006 at 6:08 am
LOL, this is funny, cant beleive they are even using your logo…DUMASS’s
Oh hi by they way, love your site, working in england and is very quite here in the office, and you have got me through the summer!
October 6th, 2006 at 5:34 am
lool it’s exactly the same content, with your pictures! And they claime that they don’t know that works belong to you??? do they apologize to you?
October 6th, 2006 at 4:58 am
How pathetic, I hate people like this, too lazy and think they will never get caught. Morons. And also using your logo in one of the tutorials, pure genius.
October 6th, 2006 at 2:04 am
I sent an email to technical support of their host Liquid Web. It is against the hosts Terms of Service to host copyrighted material. Didn’t you put any watermarks or other hidden text?
October 6th, 2006 at 12:04 am
It’s ashame that there are people like this who show no respect, and to make it worse they are in the web design business. You couldn’t have put it any better Nick. This company needs some business ethics.