We’ve probably all had original ideas that were used by others. People tell us “imitation is the highest form of flattery” to try to make us feel better. But creators of original products and ideas don’t agree.
Pink: “I don’t think imitation is the highest form of flattery, I think it’s annoying.”
Henry Ford: “An imitation may be quite successful in its own way, but imitation can never be success. Success is first-hand creation.”
Oscar Wilde: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
And Frank Lloyd Wright simply said, “Imitation is always insult—not flattery.”
Unless you’ve created something and had it stolen, you don’t know the frustration of the aftermath. The money can be big—Payless Shoes had to fork over $305 million for imitating Adidas Shoes—or it can be small; did you know that Big Mama Thornton made just $500 from her song Hound Dog, famously covered by Elvis, who sold 10 million copies?
I’ve had my writing (and even book copyrights) stolen and published on websites and in magazines many times, as many have. Since we’re generally broke and on deadline, we don’t have the resources to hire lawyers and chase justice for intellectual property. I wish we did.
In the beachcombing industry over the years, I’ve watched many artists have their original art concepts stolen and replicated by others repeatedly; from ring and other jewelry designs to various art work styles, it’s frustrating talented artisans don’t have a good way of finding resolution for such a violation.
As a candlemaker, I had the idea four years ago during the pandemic to start a company creating beach-found candle containers with hidden beach treasures inside. This hadn’t been done before, but after I started producing and selling the candles, I watched as a number of people copied my business concept.
My first reaction was attempting to support the other small businesses, in some cases hiring them to create designs for me. This resulted, especially in one instance, in giving their smaller business followers and customers and watching as they ultimately copied my entire business model, launching sales on days before mine, and coming to me “in friendship” when I was hurting with promises they wouldn’t copy designs, but ending up ghosting me and doing exactly that with lower prices, leaving me feeling like they kept their friends close and their enemies closer.
How devastating, the feeling that you believed someone was your friend when all they ended up caring about was their business. I feel angry at myself for how much support I gave only to see candles that are exact replicas of mine. I found out that legally I do have recourse, but don’t have the money right now to pursue it.
My business has suffered. I can’t really complain; customers can buy products wherever they want. I focus on being grateful for the customers who continue to support my business, who are still here as I move into year five.
I started a new miniatures division of my business that I’m excited about. Will someone knock that off too? I can’t control that. I didn’t invent miniature candles, but I’m making them in unique styles that are my own and haven’t been done before. I want to spend the rest of my days doing what makes me happy around people who make me happy.