Super disappointing. On the way down to see my Dad, I met with someone today that seemed like may have a great opportunity. Guy is in Craigslist saying he has a business that is growing so fast that he needs people just to build these items, He showed me "his plans, that he drew himself." I have seen these plans on the internet, before, and he is plagiarizing all of the work AND THE PLANS on the knock-off wood site as his own. What a $#!tbag. So not only did I not have an opportunity, but what a predicament to be in, I cannot in good conscience not say anything to the owner of the site and let someone sell this stuff all over the state. It would not be bad if he was advertising that he was willing to make furniture from this site that was not his own. He proceeded to show me THE EXACT printed out plans and blew smoke up my rear and say that he made them, then give me a stupid look like I had 4 heads when I asked him how long he was using sketchup. What a mess.
What a horrible day.
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It's a shame that a situation like that exists to the point that you had to bump into it and have it destroy your day; and worse, any hope you might have had employment with the possible venture. I too would be highly peeved!
Personally, I wouldn't be all that hesitant about "blowing the whistle" on the guy. As an illustrator and graphic designer of sorts, I take pride in the things I do. I'm certainly not even close to the best when it comes to "design"... but what is mine, is mine and to have someone steal that as thier own, hurts the originator.
While using a design may be interpreted as some form of "flattery", to claim it as your own is something else entirely. It is the ultimate "theft" in my opinion.
(I once interviewed a guy for an illustrator position... part of his "portfolio" was two of the parts catalogs that I had done for Ingersoll-Rand earlier in my career... as you can imagine, the guy didn't get the job!)
CWSLast edited by cwsmith; 09-09-2012, 07:44 PM.Think it Through Before You Do! -
I plan to do that. It's one thing to say, hey, some people don't have the tools or confidence, and I am willing to help them for a little bit of money and get the something they need/want. It is another to totally steal anothers work, and claim that "I DESIGN EVERYTHING", and then charge crazy prices for construction lumber furniture.
I will email Ana and let her know, she is honest where her ideas come from, and the same courtesy should be extended to her.
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I hope you made this guy feel stupid for claiming your work as his own.Comment
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Besides the Knock off woodworking site plans (isn't it Anna something now?), there was someone selling the plans and video's from the Woodworking for mere Mortals site, and he had a post and LONG video complaining about the guy.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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I am actually gathering a little more info on the guy before I blow the whistle. He was hesitant to give me any info on the phone, which threw up red flags anyway.
I want to at least get his last name, so I can give ana-white or whatever enough information.
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I would expose him. That's prevalent on the internet. Some years ago, I bid some casework to a designer, and drew some plans on 11"x17" paper (it was the largest size for my copier at the time). Some time later I get a visit from a guy at another cabinet shop wanting a bid on some plans he was unable to make. He thought he would farm it out. He shows me my own set of plans. My name was removed.
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Oh, I will expose him. I just want to be able to share more info on the guy, at this point all I have is an email, a first name, a YouTube channel, and a cel phone number. He is supposed to be sending me a contract - that will have his last name etc on it.Comment
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The site (ana-white.com) doesn't seem to charge for the plans? Would someone building the stuff and selling it be violating any laws? How does Ana White feel about people building and selling stuff from her plans? I also wonder if you found the guy actually selling the furniture, or if he was just using the "I'm selling tons of this stuff and I need people to built it for me" to put price pressure on YOU, but his actual intentions were to use the pieces himself?
I just cannot imagine that a ton of that stuff would be selling at a reasonable markup in a single, local market.Comment
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I don't see anything wrong with selling the furniture, if credit is given to the plan origin.The site (ana-white.com) doesn't seem to charge for the plans? Would someone building the stuff and selling it be violating any laws? How does Ana White feel about people building and selling stuff from her plans? I also wonder if you found the guy actually selling the furniture, or if he was just using the "I'm selling tons of this stuff and I need people to built it for me" to put price pressure on YOU, but his actual intentions were to use the pieces himself?
I just cannot imagine that a ton of that stuff would be selling at a reasonable markup in a single, local market.
It seems pretty shady to be telling me he designs all of it, and has all of her pictures that her people have submitted on HIS site as HIS WORK, and claims he does all the computer work, which to my eye as an IT admin for 10 years looks like he printed them.
He seems to be selling some, and remember, most of that stuff is made with 1x or 2x construction lumber, not expensive to build at all, and the examples he showed me were not well constructed, so not much time is going into the ones he is building, so a person could make easy money, ****, I thought about doing it the honest way, and just putting myself out there to build people that don't have the tools/ don't want to know how anything on that site, for a reasonable fee, but I was going to point people to it letting them know I did not design any of it, but am willing to build something like it, if not a little bit better constructed/maybe out of hardwood.
I am sure ana-white feels about as good as Pottery Barn / Ikea / Wherever else people are getting "inspiration" does, if people were to build/sell. Either way, she gives credit to the origin, and that should be reciprocated.Comment
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- Ted
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