While interacting with fellow artists and crafters the common topic of discussion is plagiarism of ideas. We creators put our heart and soul in our labour of love. It pains us when people just copy the ideas or rather steal them. But how to take care of this age-old phenomenon.
Let’s define creativity
It is the process of bringing a new idea to reality. Creativity brings out innovations and spreads happiness. Old ideas can be re-created into new creations. Thinking is an important part of creativity. The other key part of focus. Money or remuneration is the last piece of the puzzle.
Creativity for brand owners
Artists create to sell. We need to think about new products to keep our clients interested and reach out to more clients. At times clients keep coming back demanding creativity. That is something which comes naturally to us. But as soon as our finished product comes out in the open we face the possibility of it getting copied.
Copyright means right to copy
Copying comes easy. Why put the effort into thinking when someone else is doing it. So brand owners put counter copying measures in place. Source of raw materials is kept a secret. Disallowing photography or placing a watermark on pictures are a few measures. Bigger brands hire lawyers and pay expensive court fees to claim their originality. But such measures are also easily circumvented especially due to laxity in laws of different countries.
Letting go is the only way out
Places or organisations which have strict code of conduct, just a complaint of plagiarism can result in strict action. Wide reach of the internet and file sharing technologies have given nightmares to film studios and made a big dent in their revenue. If someone steals your work on social networks, you can always tag them publicly. It might stop them or at least create awareness.
But the best course of action can be letting it go. Here are the reasons.
- A copy of the original will always remain a copy. People are smart to spot the difference.
- If you receive payment for your work be mentally prepared to get it copied.
- Trust your creativity to come up with new ideas.
- Consider a copy as a source of inspiration to others.
- Don’t hang on to the past. Once an idea becomes a reality or a product moves to a new idea.
- Copyright measures cost time and money. Don’t waste it. Instead use it on thinking or looking for new ideas.
Some creative ideas which came to reality at Kreative Veranda.
