[Symbiote]

Sorry if there is another thread like this but I want to know what the general etiquette is when copying someone else's custom?

Usually from what I've seen, ppl give credit or at least reference the person who they took the formula from. That being out of respect and all. I know that these things do happen in the customizing world. I know that we give each other ideas and share our thoughts and creations on this site but its discouraging to me when I find one of my custom ideas blatantly ripped off on ebay. I wouldn't expect any paycut cause that would be wrong, and I don't have a patent on a custom idea since ideas are shared on this site, but is a shout out, giving credit, or reference the person who you took the idea from too much to ask for? Thoughts?

[SH0CKWAVE]

I know customizers are passionate about their work, but everyone is different. Some want quiet respect, others want praise. In the end, its pretty subjective.

[Symbiote]

Yeah it is. Normally from what I've seen on the 3.75 thread, ppl posts up their custom ideas and such for everyone to see. Mostly everyone either says, "that looks great I'm going to do that too" or ,"i can't take credit for this. I got the formula from________" I guess I was just looking for recognition or at least acknowledgement that my idea will be copied and sold on ebay. I just think that'd be more respectful than find a blatant copy that you find on ebay without notice.

[SH0CKWAVE]

Your theory makes all the sense in the world. A perfect world. Maybe take comfort in knowing ur ideas are brilliant and were you to decide to capitalize, the market is in place for you.

The key is branding. Make the brand synonymous with your work and you will get your due.

[Symbiote]

Thanks for the wise words shockwave. Your comments are reassuring.

[RodimusVTS]

My tip is if you sculpt then learn to cast, and sell those casts of your custom parts.

[BigHanksCustoms]

Another facet is the fact that two people, worlds apart can come up with the same recipe for the same character simultaneously. That happens often in the custom Transformers world.....

Since we are all basically borrowing the intellectual properties of the toy companies, not much can be done in the way of monetary kickbacks or what have you.

If you see a particular recipe or mod done that you came up with, remember, the other guy might think he came up with it too.

I wouldn't get too fussed about it.

[Dravenheart]

I gotta agree. I mean, I typically try to stray from making anything I've seen before. Keeps my stuff different and I don't like it appearing as though I'm stealing someone else's idea. But, sometimes you can't help it. Like my Daken custom. I found out after I made it that it's almost an exact copy of what someone else did just a month or two before me. And these days I can't keep up with customs well enough to know if my work is copycat or not.

And, of course, if you sell on EBay and your custom goes typically over $100, you're almost guaranteed to have at least a dozen copycats trying to make the same amount.

I see it as just being a courtesy thing. But there are a lot of people out there not known for courtesy. Especially when it comes to potential profit.

[jestermon]

I understand the idea behind it, but if they didn't physically steal the other person's property it's all someone else's intellectual property both in the pieces they use and if it's an actual character.

Now saying it's someone else's well known custom work to try to sell it and get a large sum of money is very different.

[jimsloth]

I personally don't care who copies anything I come up with. I don't need the credit, though it is nice. Like others have said, if we are all pulling from mostly the same parts, and trying to match mostly the same source material, there are bound to be overlaps (when two or more people think of the same thing independently). And the crappier one is when we see a custom, forget about it, and a year later do something that is subcontiously copying while thinking we did it all ourselves. I've done this and then later realized it wasn't my idea, so just remember that feeling when someone else does something you've already done.

On a related note I highly recommend the internet video series "Everything is a Remix."