How can we stop the design thieves?

http://elliotjaystocks.com/blog/archive/2008/how-can-we-stop-the-thieves/

by danw • 18 years ago

3 9 18 years ago

elliotjaystocks.com

tel• 18 years ago

Title typo?

danw• 18 years ago

fixed

brlewis• 18 years ago

It still says "thieves", but the linked article is about plagiarists.

sanj• 18 years ago

I wonder if there are security games to play with javascript.

Have the CSS encrypted in some non-trivial way. Have the JS decrypt it after querying a server for a key. You could do the same with images, or a least their file names.

The query could include a token associated with the machine that served the page, and only the correct tokens would get the correct key.

Just a thought.

lyime• 18 years ago

After reading a few of his blog posts I think he needs to move on. Design is something that is always going to be copied. Especially good designs, he should be proud that people love his designs and copy it or modify it. Well obviously it is not ok if someone rips of the entire site, but inspired designs is never a bad thing. just my opinion.

webwright• 18 years ago

Interesting technical question, but a bad business one.

How does swiped design/css impede your business's ability to prosper?

dgabriel• 18 years ago

I honestly don't think there's any way to stop people from "stealing," designs like these. It happens to many designers, and it sucks, but the choices are:

- be angry, but flattered, and let it go

- sue them for copyright infringement if applicable

If you're a designer or an artist, you take that risk. Look at it this way: if your work is good enough to steal, then you're doing pretty well. If you keep working hard, maybe Apple will rip you off: http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/05/apples-little-problem-wit...

kingnothing• 18 years ago

They say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I guess this guy disagrees.

atlacatl• 18 years ago

I'm Apple had this discussion. I'd say just relax...

How can we stop the design thieves?

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