Over the years, we've had plenty of our icon design work stolen carte blanche from our portfolio and reused illegally on some website, in software for sale, or in somebody else's portfolio. It's disturbing, and at times sickening, that people have no regard for original work.
By stealing work from our portfolio for their own use they violate our copyright as well as the rights of our clients who paid for the work to be commissioned. Today we may have found a new low, as a logo has been ripped from our site (or the site of our client) and is being used as the logo for an online retailer.
Perhaps Maxmost feels like they can drive traffic to their site by raising a stir using a logo stolen from our portfolio. However, this just doesn't seem like the best way to do business, now does it? Our friends at Squarespace have already attempted contacting the Maxmost to remove the offending logo from their site, but as of this post the logo remains.
Update: The logo has been removed. The word is that the logo design was contracted by a third party designer (who simply decided our logo design would work for the job). If this is the case, we're very sorry for Maxmost. This is not too cool. We're not so sorry for the offending logo designer cum thief.
Mike says
That's really awful. Not only is Squarespace one of our past clients as well, Tony is one of my friends and it pains me to see this kind of cyberpiracy going on.
Todd Dominey says
I imagine the Scottish Arts Council is feeling about the same with Quark's new look. :)
That really sucks though. With enough pressure I'm sure they should remove it. I've had a few people rip stuff from me too.
Josh Williams says
You know, I was thinking the same thing about Scottish Arts this morning. Crazy.
beth says
This is disgraceful. It's one thing to emulate, but another to blatantly rip off. I hope someone has already sent them a C&D. And Quark, I mean what gives? Did some designer over there honestly think no one would notice?
Jon says
I notice no one from MM has responded. It seems like normally, the offending party comes on to the blog and says,
'No really, it looks exactly the same but I drew/designed/shot/poured/created/drank/shilled for/burped it up, and in no way did I steal from this two-timer!'
...you'll notice the suprising lack of defense in today's meanderings. Oh wait--maybe that's because they didn't even change the color of the item they stole. And has anyone else besides me wondered why in heck they would want a logo that clearly looks like two S's? I mean, if that one S does look like an M, then the other one looks like a W.
Dave Selden says
I see they've changed the logo out on MaxMost.com.
A. Casalena says
They're saying that a freelance designer sold them the stolen logo -- but I'm curious as to if this is the case (they wouldn't release his name, citing that they didn't have "permission"). Kind of ironic -- seems like the kind of guy who doesn't really care much about permission? :)
Whole thing still seems sort of strange. If it was a freelancer doing this, I'd be QUITE angry, and wouldn't see the problem with releasing his name. Oh well, thanks to them for resolving the issue.
It's amazing to have a customer base good enough to report this sort of thing to you. Infinitely thankful for that.
Seth Thomas Rasmussen says
For what it's worth, I thought the squarespace mark could work for a shopping site as being similar to dollar signs... only... hipper?
Nice mark, by the way.
Joel says
Darn rip off artists.. BTW. I think you have a typo!
You wrote "We're not so sorry for the offending logo designer cum thief." I belive it should be: "We're not so sorry for the offending logo designer scum thief.
Jordan Wollman says
I too have had my logo's, designs, websites, etc. blatantly ripped off. It's amazing how people can do that and think it's okay.
Sometimes I get drained, and I go looking for inspiration. But looking for inspiration in good design, and ripping that design off are two different things.
"Imitation is the purest form of flattery."
But being ripped off is the purest form of insult!
In short. I feel you, and I'm sorry this kind of thing happens to people with talent and dedication to their craft.
Krystyn says
I usually find this sort of thing disheartening, but doubly so since I'm a big fan of your work (and Anthony's as well.)
I hope this designer (if he/she really exists) has been shamed into never trying this again. It's one thing to be inspired - that's a gray area in itself - but wow, they didn't even bother to change the colors.
mcd says
This happens far too often, but fortunately it seems like the rightful owners of stolen work have better luck these days getting something done about it. I know of one such case in which a logo and slogan were stolen and used on site hosted by GoDaddy. After presenting sufficient evidence to GoDaddy, the site was suspended.
If you see this sort of thing happening, go after the offender. It's worth it.
Ben says
I think MaxMost's new (non Squarespace) logo looks a bit like a rip off of the Sun Microsystems logo.
Dinea says
Ben, that was exactly my first thought too. Seems like MaxMost have no luck. Why don't they just hire Firewheel?
Phil says
"We're not so sorry for the offending logo designer cum thief."
Why is he a cum thief? Thats dirty... did you mean to say "scum" thief? LOL
Zaur says
I just wonder why Microsys doesnt complain about copyright
Blasi says
It really dose look like Sun Microsystems logo now all they did was change the "S" to "M" which makes me ask the question why would you want to even come remarkably close to another persons logo. Isn't the point of the logo to be a uniqe icon that sticks in everyones head?
just my $0.02
Arvin says
its sad but it happens.
I've been working for 6 months and there have been couple of clients who told me 'this is what i want it(logo\layout) to look like'. Having just started, I cant be that idealistic and all. Though I do change few things, its just like looting a bank leaving few dollars. But guess its like that for all starters. Till in a position to say NO, they got to do such work
Gustof says
Arvin puts a practical light on the subject.
Clients have these hand-drawn sketches and/or rough ideas, or want things to look a certain way.
How far does the project budget allow for research?
Do you bluntly ask, "Where did you get this idea?"
This is mostly about people, not Grecian architecture nor formulas.
How many electronically endowed computeresque swirling arcs, anthropomorphic flora or androgynous bodies cum arms upward, would you want to wish away... to name a few repeat offenders.
Some appear so similar they may be from... The Night of the Living Dead (italics)... or (BOLD) Shaun of the Dead.
Tonight, I was listening to an old time bluegrass band. They played a traditional piece that immediately, without even thinking about it, brought to mind an Allman Brothers Band song from awhile ago, yet.
Can identities or logos be like this, in their roots?
Who would want to repeat the Target logo without the obvious insinuation? However, does J.C.Penney owe anything to IBM?
As for the comments about Quark and Scottish Arts Council, one is three-dimensional, the other is done in two, and very referential to a specific icon.
Where is the problem?
Blatant appropriation is replica, such as the logo on the site exposeyourselfusa.com (yes, that's their name), and wonder where the "Ex" came from.
bed and breakfast Roma says
Very good!
Ian says
We stole the same logo and are quite happy with it, thanks for working hard for us and we reap the bennies!
Ian says
We stole the same logo and are quite happy with it, thanks for working hard for us and we reap the bennies! check it here; www.unitedbikeco.com
Peter Buentello says
Check out www.subseventy.co.uk
Eerily similar?