Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
protecting a designer's works
- Thread starter zoran
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
In this day and age? Not really, no. Posting artwork, videos, photography, or even literature somewhere online there is a decent chance someone will take it, be it for innocent or.. we'll say "malicious" intent.
There are literally bots, that scour social media, heisting images to create cheap t-shirts. It's a low cost operation which brings in enough revenue to enable them to continue doing so. On all the backs of artists who won't ever see a dime from it.
Having a difficult to remove watermark can help, but not always. Years ago I would post things on DeviantArt, and many times I would find these images posted elsewhere, without permission, and the area were my watermark was had been simply cropped out. I guess it's my fault for not positioning the watermark better, but I didn't want it to hamper the art, as I wanted people to see it how I created it in full, rather than comprised with a faded watermark and compressed quality.
You are automatically protected by the copyright act, the symbol is for sending a warning message that you are serious about taking legal action in case of copy which doesn't reliably work against thieves to begin with.
As for the difference, the ™ (trademark) and ® (registered) are for registered trademarks, that is a copyrighted graphic that has been legally established to represent a company or product. For example "the Apple logo is a registered trademark of Apple Computers".
As for the difference, the ™ (trademark) and ® (registered) are for registered trademarks, that is a copyrighted graphic that has been legally established to represent a company or product. For example "the Apple logo is a registered trademark of Apple Computers".
Last edited:
So placing the C icon doesn't really do much, just gives a warning to possible thieves?
We can argue that it gives an impression of legitimacy and authenticity to consumers, it's another small part of your overall character.
But as for protecting you from piracy then no, don't be surprised to find your designs in sketchy clip-art websites, trademarked or not. You can however pursue legal action if your pirated design is being used by a company in a country that gives a damn.
But as for protecting you from piracy then no, don't be surprised to find your designs in sketchy clip-art websites, trademarked or not. You can however pursue legal action if your pirated design is being used by a company in a country that gives a damn.
A friend of mine creates cute little drawn characters in a very particular style which is immediately identifiable as his. In China and Hong Kong someone sent him photos of a line of clothing that seems quite popular and is selling well - sporting his designs without permission.
The Chinese clothing company hijacked his designs, and is making good money off him. And he can't do a darn thing about it.
He sent a cease and desist letter, mails, etcetera, but they're just ghosting him. No response, and taking actual legal action is just about impossible unless you are, or have the backing of, a semi-large company, have access to a middle-man in location, and have access to well-endowed legal funds.
So he is powerless, and others are enriching themselves using his original work.
The Chinese clothing company hijacked his designs, and is making good money off him. And he can't do a darn thing about it.
He sent a cease and desist letter, mails, etcetera, but they're just ghosting him. No response, and taking actual legal action is just about impossible unless you are, or have the backing of, a semi-large company, have access to a middle-man in location, and have access to well-endowed legal funds.
So he is powerless, and others are enriching themselves using his original work.
You can buy the entire Behance on AliExpress for $3.50, don't let it concern you and focus on getting the business of those who actually value your work and their reputation.
Judge Judy even said "you put it on the internet, consider it stolen!"
i never post anything i need published online,
the ® is registered by the Government as a logo, etc.
while © is published work protected by the publisher, as a cartoon, etc
i never post anything i need published online,
the ® is registered by the Government as a logo, etc.
while © is published work protected by the publisher, as a cartoon, etc
someone needs to contact the publisher of the art before reproducing 90% of the image
anyone can take 8% and do what they want!