Hi Chris,

Thanks for writing. I am so sorry this happened in your project. This is clearly a violation of our user agreement, and I'll personally contact the creative to discuss. In the design world, there are many logos and other designs that seem similar - this one however, is identical except for colors, and that's an entirely different story. We'll remove that entry from the project.

We've done a few things to make sure that buyers are purchasing original work:

1. The user agreement specifically states that only original work is acceptable and that anyone who submits a concept represents that they created it and have full rights to that work.

2. The legal contract between you and the creative you select includes an express and specific representation from them that it's their original work and they have a right to sell it to you.

3. We post entries publicly so that buyers and other creatives can uncover a problem. In this case, it appears either you saw the similarity or someone pointed it out (which unfortunately does happen once in a while - regardless of whether you buy a logo from an online marketplace or a shop next door). And you did exactly what you should do - told the creative you know it's similar to an existing logo, that you're unhappy and that you'll report - this is precisely the response we recommend.

I can assure you that the vast majority of creatives are very aware of these issues and the last thing they would want is for their new client (you) to get into trouble with the logo. For many, the award is a small amount - the bigger reward is finding a new client and having their work in the marketplace. So, this is a very unusual circumstance (and as best as I recall, the first time we've had to deal with it).

You have some outstanding choices in your project from some very talented creatives. I do hope that while your confidence is slightly shaken, you'll find something you like in the project. And please be assured - we take the protection of intellectual property very seriously here. I spent 13 years advising clients around the world on intellectual property issues (as an attorney).

We look forward to seeing your choice.

Best,

Ross
co-Founder


On 14-Jul-08, 4:00pm CDT xenocron wrote:

Ross,

I have a slight problem, it has come to my attention that one of the pieces of art posted to my project is a pretty blatant copy of a Linux Company logo

http://www.ubuntu.com/themes/ubuntu0...ubuntulogo.png

See the similarities to that file and the logo posted by TabD (#21 in my project).

This has now completely shaken the confidence that others I have received and possibly ones I might pick may be copies of someone else's logo and I don't need those kinds of legal problems. Can you offer me reassurances that I won't have any issues with a submission I might choose for my new company logo?

Chris
973-846-7872