Anyone in Little Rock Arkansas? Need a favor...

[DCColegrove]

This kind of infringement happens all the time now... (My thinking is thanks to the Internet)

And it's a drag but copyright protection laws keep getting weaker and weaker...

I still hope you can ream the fuckers....

[george graves]

lylefk - you could also try craig's list if no one here is up to it.

[lylefk]

Thanks guys...at first I laughed, now I'm kinda pissed about it. I lost the guys info that sent it to me initially, which sucks. That billboard represents wheels and suspension for my vert...or the entire sound system and new red interior...or more photography gear. Anyway, you catch my drift.

George, did you ever get anything for the website she stole? I'm curious as to what steps you took to try and get paid for it, if you did anything. CL is a good idea, I'll try that.

[DarkWing6]

I bet you could call them and make up some BS story about why you would want a picture of the sign and have them email it to you. If it has been up for that long I bet they wouldn't even think about copyright issues. You would then have them confirming that it is currently up.

Just an idea.

[george graves]

No - never got a penny. At first I tried asking for the full amount~$2k, then I asked for only $500 to settle it. I was all ready to take her to small claims court, when I realized that I didn't want to become "that guy." You know, the guy that is always talking someone to court. So I've never sued someone. Maybe someday.

In my case, I did the work "on spec" and showed it to her on a CD that I let her take home(never doing that again). Since I do video production work, I knew how to make the CD automatically open a web browser. The first page that launched had a "click here if you agree" type of thing. Specifically asking her NOT to take it to another web design.

EDIT: hang on, let me see if I can find the project. I never throw things away: Yep - here is the exact image she saw:



What she must have done was sent it to this other web designer, and copied it from there.

Here is a great article about what to do when someone steals your work. It's more about web designs and blogs, but I think you should read it.

http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/what-do-you-do-when-someone-steals-your-content/

[george graves]

I bet you could call them

Or call all the area sign makers/printers and ask them if they did the sign - that is who most likely stole your work - not that plumber guy. Unless he just happens to be handy in photoshop, but I'm doubting it.

Something like "hey did you just do so-and-so's sign? I really liked it, and want you to do mine" - or call the sprinkler company and do the same thing "Hey, I drive by your sign everyday - I just love it. Who is your sign guy?".

[blunttech]

Bastards. I hate people that steal other peoples work. I had a bitch steal a whole web site I did for this woman. When I tried to pursue it, she acted like I was crazy. I can't tell you how many different ways I've fucked with her - and I will continue to do so for many more years. It's twisted fun.

this gives me a warm feeling inside when i read a post like this