What to do when a customer supplies you with another sign company's drawing/design?

[nikdoobs]

Just got some detailed artwork for some interior light up & rotating signs.

They want us to quote them for making the same signs. I know this happens all the time so what do you guys do when a customer comes to you with another company's artwork?

I would be pissed if it were my artwork that another company stole.

Should I just alter the original design to keep from copying their artwork?
How much does it need to be altered?

What is the legal & ethical thing to do in this situation?

 

[Graphic Destruction]

I tell them we won't reproduce or even price someone else's work. For a deposit, we'd be glad to sit down and design something that fits their needs/budget and proceed with the job. Frankly, I don't even want the customer that does this because they want it all for Walmart pricing.

 

[rjssigns]

I tell them we won't reproduce or even price someone else's work. For a deposit, we'd be glad to sit down and design something that fits their needs/budget and proceed with the job. Frankly, I don't even want the customer that does this because they want it all for Walmart pricing.

THIS^^^^^^ X100000

They are shopping price, and will ruin your day.

 

[Locals Find!]

Ethically - Notify the other company what is going on. Maybe they kicked the client to the curb with the designs. Maybe they didn't. I think a professional phone call to the other company is the right thing to do.

Legally - I am not an attorney so, if you want legal advice. My advice is to find an attorney who is knowledgeable on the subject. At the end of the day though that will probably cost you more than the job is worth.

So, if in doubt throw it out.

 

[fresh]

I would ask your client why they aren't going with the sign company who did the drawing.

You never know, maybe they paid for design, but not for construction?

 

[ol'phart]

I always refuse to bid off another companies artwork unless I am satisfied that the client has purchased the design from the other company. I have gone as far as make a courtesy call to the other sign company to confirm the facts.

 

[nikdoobs]

Well, I just found out this is an old drawing & the other company is out of business so I'm just going to change a few things alter it and make it our own. Nothing unethical about that, right?

 

[Locals Find!]

Well, I just found out this is an old drawing & the other company is out of business so I'm just going to change a few things alter it and make it our own. Nothing unethical about that, right?

I don't see anything morally wrong with that. The company is out of business. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Odds are highly in your favor no one is going to come back and haunt you over that.

 

[Graphic Destruction]

In that case, make it better and go make $.

 

[synergy_jim]

Ethically, copying another shops design put you right above that sludge that collects at the bottom of my sump pump.


I walked into a job last week, the owner told me I want this. I gave it back to him, told him we do way better work and sold him something that cost twice as much. Never put your reputation on the line for a few bucks. People will respect you more for turning that stuff down.

 

[Techman]

A poacher always pays dearly in the end. Act like a mercenary and get treated like one.
Act like a professional and get treated like one.

 

[Gino]

I've always found it easier to quote someone, when I know what the other guy is doing.



That being said, do what you think is right. You wouldn't be asking that question if you didn't already know the right thing to do. Treat others as you'd want them to treat you.
Nothing wrong with a potential customer price shopping and if someone is stoopid enough to give him the drawing, why not quote it ?? Their problem, not mine. Not really, but if you use it as a reference, you can go from there and kindly tell them you wouldn't do this, but a sign that way might cost about $XX amount of dollars. However, this would be my recommendation and do your own thing.

 

[anthonyd969]

I wouldn't want it happening to me again. I had this happen years back and was so pissed I went to small claims court and won. I was at least paid my design fee. I would do the same as some of the others have said. Offer to design something yourself. He's just shopping the price and if you design without a deposit it's gonna happen to you also. Just some food for thought...

 

[S'N'S]

Have some of you read the whole thread.....read post 7, he's found out that the company went out of business.

 

[visual800]

+ IF and WHEN we get art from another sign shop from cutomer we just make it better and submit bid at least we know what they are bidding on.I dont worry about customers sharing but I better not see my art replicated. A sign shop that would replicate anothers art is a sorry sign shop with no talent and no morals, if your any good you would not allow others' work to be replicated in your shop

I dont worry about "seeing " their art or bids whether they are in or out of business. The ONLY time I ask for a bid from another compnay is when I feel the customer is handing me a line of BS about what the other compnay is bidding on. 99% of the time they dont show it

 

[chartle]

Well, I just found out this is an old drawing & the other company is out of business so I'm just going to change a few things alter it and make it our own. Nothing unethical about that, right?

I used to frequent a t shirt forum and copyright issues came up every few weeks.

Note I'm not a lawyer just relating what was posted by others, some lawyers, that had more knowledge than me.

First there is no set amount of changes you can make to a drawing to make it your own and totally defend you against copyright infringement, thats for a judge to decide.

Second even though the shop is out of business, unless they signed over the rights to the customer that gave it to you, whoever designed it still owns the copyright.

Now are they going to find out and sue you probably not, but you did ask about ethics.

 

[player]

I don't draw anything unless I have the order.