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 10th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Here’s my 2 cents.
I’ve found it amazing how quickly you can get a website designer to do the “right thing”.
Wanna know how?
Contact everyone in their portfolio with the evidence of their wrongdoing.
Here’s a copy of the message I am writing to the first 10 websites listed on the wrongdoer’s portfolio:
To whom it may concern,
The designer of your site, Prowebb, is using plagiarized material in their website and may be using plagiarized material on yours. I invite you to view a discussion of their most recent theft of intellectual material at:
http://www.ndesign-studio.com/blog/updates/relentless-copycat.
I recommend that at the very least you contact Prowebb and request they provide you a written assurance that none of the material in your website is not violating any copyrights.
I apologize if you have already received similar e-mails regarding this matter, it is not my intent to inconvenience you.
Thank you,
Robert Kruger
October 10th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Not only have they ripped your tutorials they have ripped off many others, by first glance of their sections I don’t think any of it is original content.
And the fact that the N is in the 3d logo tutorial says it all.
I would do what Brian Gilley stated, this must not be tolerated.
Btw. love the new site.
October 10th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Hi Guys
Just reading your article and I have to say I have had similar experiences, there are to many companies out there stealing other peoples work and passing it of as there own its ridiculous,
October 10th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Mmhh…Shameless! They don’t even mention you?!?!? This means war! I will write an email to them emediatly and get back on that when they (if they) have replied.
Dammit!
October 10th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Hi Nick
Follow this:
http://www.pixel2life.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20185
I see other sites tutorials on there as well, send a DMCA and get them shut down.
October 10th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
I has digg your post and i will post it in my blog.
October 10th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Look at the search input, with a horrible background and no seach button.
What a shame!
October 10th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Please digg this article: http://digg.com/design/Relentless_Copycat as I need more voice from the public. Thanks.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:27 am
You know Nick, I am thinking of starting a site that basically records all the “websites: out there that have ither copied your work, used your work as theirs, or simply out right have stolen your work. I remember the one we found on a “corporate site” selling CMS and bought it to your attention. They have removed the template, but because of that one instance, we never did go with them. Keep up the amazing work man - your shit blows every other illustrators stuff so far out of the web-water its not funny. Your tutorials are “Still the shit man”!!
October 10th, 2006 at 12:20 am
Send a DMCA request to Google for copyright infringement. I would get those a**holes canned in Google.