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Thief Alert!
Listed under: Interviews
Published: Monday, March 31, 2008
After having her own work continually ripped off, Dids Macdonald set up ACID (Anti Copying In Design). Here she discusses why copying is such a key issue
Intellectual property (IP) theft is an increasing problem for designers and occurs in all creative disciplines. Some companies are seeking a route to market without investing in creativity by free-riding on design and not rewarding originality. I started ACID ten years ago after I found it difficult to take action against those copying my designs. Our objective is to assist our members in protecting and understanding their IP rights. We provide members with a deterrent and preventative strategy and support for when things go wrong.
There are lots of simple things that can be done to protect designs. Vigilance and security are key. For those developing new collections or prototypes, web cam and CCTV on premises is really important. We have a free deposit scheme for our members and hold literally hundreds and thousands of designs. Non-members can send drawings to an independent third party like a bank or a solicitor for safe keeping. All drawings should be signed and dated, including every detail from the seed of an idea to the final design. Obviously there are budget parameters for small businesses, but work should be registered if at all possible. This gives a monopoly right and means you don't have to prove copying if it happens.
Designers should have correct agreements between with manufacturers and retailers. We advise them to never send design drawings or samples without a confidentiality agreement, and also never to leave something with a retail buyer or manufacturer without an assurance their rights are acknowledged. At trade shows or at exhibitions, a strict no-photography policy should be enforced. Unauthorised photography is the fastest and easiest way to steal ideas. The image can be over to China (where 80% of the world's copying comes from) or elsewhere and on the production line within days, probably before you've had time to pack up your stand. Creatives should become IP savvy – if designs aren't protected, the consequences are dire.
We have designers come to us who are worried about accidentally copying other people's work, and I think that's only natural. However, if you're doing something new with a distinctive character and you haven't deliberately copied something, it's rare that two people will design exactly the same thing, on the same day and at the same time. A true creative will rarely face that problem.
Dids Macdonald is the CEO of Anti Copying In Design
There are lots of simple things that can be done to protect designs. Vigilance and security are key. For those developing new collections or prototypes, web cam and CCTV on premises is really important. We have a free deposit scheme for our members and hold literally hundreds and thousands of designs. Non-members can send drawings to an independent third party like a bank or a solicitor for safe keeping. All drawings should be signed and dated, including every detail from the seed of an idea to the final design. Obviously there are budget parameters for small businesses, but work should be registered if at all possible. This gives a monopoly right and means you don't have to prove copying if it happens.
Designers should have correct agreements between with manufacturers and retailers. We advise them to never send design drawings or samples without a confidentiality agreement, and also never to leave something with a retail buyer or manufacturer without an assurance their rights are acknowledged. At trade shows or at exhibitions, a strict no-photography policy should be enforced. Unauthorised photography is the fastest and easiest way to steal ideas. The image can be over to China (where 80% of the world's copying comes from) or elsewhere and on the production line within days, probably before you've had time to pack up your stand. Creatives should become IP savvy – if designs aren't protected, the consequences are dire.
We have designers come to us who are worried about accidentally copying other people's work, and I think that's only natural. However, if you're doing something new with a distinctive character and you haven't deliberately copied something, it's rare that two people will design exactly the same thing, on the same day and at the same time. A true creative will rarely face that problem.
Dids Macdonald is the CEO of Anti Copying In Design
