It’s no secret that I have a Redbubble account. Visitors who come here to read my work will see a link to my shop at the bottom of every post. I’m not an artist, graphic designer, or creative in this sector. Far from it. I can’t even draw a stick figure! So it takes me longer than the average bear to come up with ideas, designs, and layouts for everything I post. That said, it should come as no surprise that I would take umbrage at people who would attempt to lift one of my designs. But that has been happening. In fact, I had to report three separate accounts for lifting my design on Redbubble.
So I am in the process of creating and re-releasing modified designs in preparation for NaNoWriMo and coming up with ideas. As I’m checking the tag, to see what is trending, I noticed a familiar design that I posted about a year ago. At first, I’m thinking someone just copied my idea and came up with their own design.
Flattering. But no problem.
Until I realized that they used the exact same font and layout like my own design. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, they simply saved the image from my product and then just put it on their own. Not only that, all three accounts used the same wording for their product title and description (not a direct copy of my own writing but the same between theirs).
My assumption is that these are spam accounts of some kind that were recently made. All three only have two product listings (my own and, presumably, someone else’s). It is just strange at how blatant this is.
I’ve submitted a report to Redbubble, but it is rather annoying to see people do this. Though, I am always curious as to why someone would choose one of my designs to rip off. My designs are simple and nothing to write home about, but you have to be a special kind of lazy to be doing this.
Yet, the fact I have to be more proactive in finding these kinds of underhanded gimmicks is annoying. I really don’t want to be wasting time tracking down people who are lifting my work. I’d rather be doing other things than finding them and filling out reports to get them removed. What is even more annoying is that, since the titles and descriptions are in another language, I will have any even harder time trying to find them with a general word search.
It’s already difficult enough to try and come up with designs that people might want to buy. I’m already competing with thousands of other shops. I don’t need the added difficulty of dealing with the scum of humanity who resort to doing this.
Hopefully, Redbubble will be satisfied with my evidence and argument to quickly take down those listings. Because NaNoWriMo is just around the corner and I would like to make a few sales (fingers crossed). And if you could visit my particular page to help it get up in the algorithm in case Redbubble decides not to take them down, I would greatly appreciate it!
Author’s Note: Support this site by donating via Paypal or even checking out our merchandise on RedBubble where you can find designs that cater to writers and readers. Money donated and raised goes into paying for this website and equipment.
