Beware Shutterstock Copyright Theft
This is a little awareness/news piece for designers with regards to copyright theft.
Rachel Taylor, who is an exceptionally talented artist, recently found her pattern design work copied line for line by a Shutterstock artist. See below how badly she was ripped off…
Original Work
Ripped Off
Rachel is currently in talks with Shutterstock/the ‘artist’ (fingers waggling heavily in the air right now over that term for them) and I personally feel, that as they and the artist have gained financially from the theft that there should be some sort of financial settlement.
Hopefully Rachel can keep us updated on her progress. Anyway enough of this uglyness, lets drool at her work!
Oo La La, she has some really nice work, see below some nice pieces I’ve picked out and her website is beyond cute/cool! 
13 Responses to “Beware Shutterstock Copyright Theft”
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Thank you so much for featuring this & showing your support. We all need to look out for watch out for each other & raise awareness otherwise the COPYCATS think they can get away with it.
I will keep you posted on the outcome… it’s been a stressful & upsetting week.
Thank you for the lovely comments about my other designs
I totally agree that we need to watch out for each other.
I loved the way when something like this happened last year, the design community lended it’s support en masse and I personally think it made a big difference to the outcome:
http://www.trulyace.com/blog/general-musings-on-life/red-fox-logo-design-plagiarism/
Blatent rip off. Haven’t even attempted to change the design! Great designs though Rachael!
http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/
I love this site, although sometimes I think the similarities in the designs could just be coincidences. Some of the people moaning about copycats aint exactly producing original work themselves! In this case though, the criticism is more than just. Good luck, hope it all gets settled ok.
Matt
I know Dan, I was thinking to myself … ‘God, if I was ripping someone off, I’d change it enough to make it rather ‘disputable’ that I’d ripped them off’ lol. I mean, at least have enough brains to TRY to get away with it, ha ha.
Never seen that site before Matt, I will have a rummage, thanks!
xx
Thanks for the honest feedback guys & your kind words of support.
I’ll keep you posted with the outcome! It’s all been very stressful.
Rachael:)
I just wanted to share this useful link: http://acid.eu.com/
If you have any copyright concerns of your own you can contact ACID (Anti copying in design)
Thanks
Rachael
Just wanted to update all you lovely supporters. Shutterstock have removed the image & suspended Saha Yesik’s portfolio.
They have to do this anyway…as it’s a BLATANT COPY, this is not enough.
The damage has been done, they have made a financial gain from my original design without my permission.
To restore any faith I need to know what companies are (and have been) using my design & in what medium??? This is really important for my business and I am awaiting a response from Shutterstock.
What would you do?
Thanks
Rachael
An update from Shutterstock…
As mentioned previously the design has been removed & pulled back & I’ve also been recently told that the artist in question ‘Sasha Yesik’ has been banned from the Shutterstock site completely.
Shutterstock have been emailing me & have advised that they are still currently investigating where the design has been used from the clients who downloaded it.
However at this moment in time, I still do not know if my design is out there on any products & for how long… This is the main concern for my my business. I hope to find this out soon as this is what I’m am still finding distressing.
I will keep the blog updated with the outcome which I hope will be resolved quickly.
It has been a stressful week, thank you for all your honest comments & support.
Rachael:)
Thanks for the updates, it’s good to see that progress is being made in a reasonable timeframe, and clearly Shutterstock seem to be taking the matter as seriously as it should be taken
Wow I like the designs. I will definitely support you.
What a distressing read. I do fully feel for Rachael, I can see how this could damage her business and none of it is her fault. I do hope that the clients who downloaded the file are made aware that they are using a copyrighted image as this could put them in a difficult position also.
Good luck Rachael and thanks for posting this Amanda.
I should imagine the clients that downloaded the file have been made aware most likely – if it were me, I’d be most unimpressed. I expect that Shutterstock have several annoyed people on their hands.