I’ve seen a couple passive aggressive Instagram digs about equestrian apparel companies being the “original” of several popular trends. Maybe I don’t understand how it works, but I’m not sure I understand why it matters. Most riders I know will buy what they can afford, and I feel like you’re not losing out on your target market.
But maybe that’s just me being my penny pinching self. :lol:
As a friend of someone in a battle like this currently, I think it is more about creative theft (if that is a thing?). She works hard on her designs to make them original, and she runs a very legit business. So, when she sees people pretty much stealing her EXACT design, it is really upsetting. Unfortunately, places like Instagram, don’t recognize creative licensing. So if company A made the design and had it first on their website, then company B steals said design and puts it on Instagram to sell, Company A can’t do a thing about it other than try and talk to Company B. At least, that is what she is running into.
I think it is less about the money and more about their creative ideas and hard work being blatantly stolen.
If you’re talking about what I think you’re talking about- I saw a blatant graphic design copied from one company onto a shirt and that to me, is definitely valid. I’ve seen that done multiple times, and that irks me as well.
My issue stems from when items resemble each other, but aren’t identical. When things are very similar, but still distinctly different- that’s when I get a little hazy about the whole thing.
[QUOTE=Belmont;8512040]
As a friend of someone in a battle like this currently, I think it is more about creative theft (if that is a thing?). She works hard on her designs to make them original, and she runs a very legit business. So, when she sees people pretty much stealing her EXACT design, it is really upsetting. Unfortunately, places like Instagram, don’t recognize creative licensing. So if company A made the design and had it first on their website, then company B steals said design and puts it on Instagram to sell, Company A can’t do a thing about it other than try and talk to Company B. At least, that is what she is running into.
I think it is less about the money and more about their creative ideas and hard work being blatantly stolen.[/QUOTE]
There is such a thing as “creative theft” and a whole branch of law dedicated to it: Intellectual Property Law.
As I understand it, clothes designers have a helluva time asserting and defending the originality of their designs.
Inquiring minds want to know…which companies!?
It seems average person does not understand copyright and the like. They figure they can just steal stuff. I had someone lift an article I had written for a horse page on About.com and put it her website and call it her own. She did the same with an article by the person who ran the About.com horse page.
Months of trying to contact the thief and explain to her that those were not her articles, yielded nothing. Luckily, About.com was owned by the New York Times, who had a legal department.
The articles were removed.
[QUOTE=KandC;8511978]
I’ve seen a couple passive aggressive Instagram digs about equestrian apparel companies being the “original” of several popular trends. Maybe I don’t understand how it works, but I’m not sure I understand why it matters. Most riders I know will buy what they can afford, and I feel like you’re not losing out on your target market.
But maybe that’s just me being my penny pinching self. :lol:[/QUOTE]
Is this a reference to the Le Fash and TS feud?
Because I totally agree that TS copied them BUT Le Fash is sooooo expensive
[QUOTE=emilawrence;8512350]
Is this a reference to the Le Fash and TS feud?
Because I totally agree that TS copied them BUT Le Fash is sooooo expensive[/QUOTE]
Yep! I wanted to avoid naming companies because I’ve seen several companies do it now, but they’ve definitely been the guiltiest party. I just find the whole thing tacky. I can tell the two brands apart pretty easily, but regardless, I don’t know why they need to harp about it on social media.
TS has been quiet about Equine Couture + SmartPak Pipers using the Trophy Hunter look, so I’m not sure why Le Fash feels the need to make such a big deal.
Despite a lot of lobbying, apparel design is not protected by copyright law. It is extremely difficult to obtain trademark protection for apparel designs as well and is usually limited to patterns, logos, colors rather than the “cut”, although this has happened with cases like the Burberry check, the Adidas 3 stripe design, and some others.
I don’t know what the issue is about, but if TS made a shirt with a show front and performance sides/arms/back, then that’s not Le Fash’s protectable IP. Same as how we have a million brands of sun shirts with different colored mesh panels.
Basically, the top $$$ brands argue they invest more in their designs/are more talented/innovative, whatever, and they should not be undercut by the lower price point retailers making similar styles. Some of what you pay for is the elite brand name (intangible value). Some of it is fabric construction and quality of materials, which has a more “real” value. Nevertheless, our laws allow for an awful lot of copying when it comes to things like clothing, and you see it in all industries, whether athletic apparel or formal wear or street clothes. Seems kind of petty for companies to start a feud on Instagram about it.
[QUOTE=IPEsq;8512513]
Despite a lot of lobbying, apparel design is not protected by copyright law. It is extremely difficult to obtain trademark protection for apparel designs as well and is usually limited to patterns, logos, colors rather than the “cut”, although this has happened with cases like the Burberry check, the Adidas 3 stripe design, and some others.
I don’t know what the issue is about, but if TS made a shirt with a show front and performance sides/arms/back, then that’s not Le Fash’s protectable IP. Same as how we have a million brands of sun shirts with different colored mesh panels.
Basically, the top $$$ brands argue they invest more in their designs/are more talented/innovative, whatever, and they should not be undercut by the lower price point retailers making similar styles. Some of what you pay for is the elite brand name (intangible value). Some of it is fabric construction and quality of materials, which has a more “real” value. Nevertheless, our laws allow for an awful lot of copying when it comes to things like clothing, and you see it in all industries, whether athletic apparel or formal wear or street clothes. Seems kind of petty for companies to start a feud on Instagram about it.[/QUOTE]
I believe that the issue is that Le Fash believes that they were the first to have contrasting knee patches, and that TS copied that style from them.
In my meaningless non-lawyer opinion I can only roll my eyes. I strongly agree that companies complaining about something of that nature through Instagram and ambassadors is IMO not professional.
Links for anyone who isn’t on instagram?
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8512551]
Links for anyone who isn’t on instagram?[/QUOTE]
Tailored Sportsman
https://instagram.com/p/-RbzLGL3Kl/
Le Fash
https://instagram.com/p/2wI9GVuaMv/
Notice the contrasting knee patches. Super cute
[QUOTE=spade;8512538]
I believe that the issue is that Le Fash believes that they were the first to have contrasting knee patches, and that TS copied that style from them.
In my meaningless non-lawyer opinion I can only roll my eyes. I strongly agree that companies complaining about something of that nature through Instagram and ambassadors is IMO not professional.[/QUOTE]
Oh LeFash…trying to what, have a trademark on a color combination? sigh
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8512551]
Links for anyone who isn’t on instagram?[/QUOTE]
Here’s an example of the kind of stuff that Le Fash posts:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBN6Y05uaEv/?taken-by=lefashny
FWIW, I do think Le Fash makes a beautiful product. However, I haven’t always been impressed with their persona on social media.
In regards to the contrasting knee patch, I don’t think anyone can really hold that claim. If you really wanted to argue it, wouldn’t this be the original contrasting knee patch breech?
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/the-tailored-sportsman-trophy-hunter-midrise-8604
(well, a brand original to TS, but the light tan with dark tan knee patch color combo. Or the greige with tan knee patch).
I was referring to Shop Hunt Clubs design being copied by someone trying to start a company and sell t-shirts on Instagram. The shirt was since been taken off Instagram, but it is still offered for sale on teespring.
http://shophuntclub.com/collections/607159-apparel-bags/products/15271536-womens-black-show-vibes-v-neck-tee
https://teespring.com/jumper-life-tee-shirt?tsref=search
Gosh, I never would have thought contrasting knee patch was a fashion statement. Haven’t knee patches that do not actually match been around forever?
Haven’t all the German brands (Pikeur etc) been doing the contrast thing for years? Or is that only full seats?
I think in this case, most breeches had a knee patch that was a different color but in the same tone. So darker grey on lighter grey pants.
In this case Le Fash had navy and I think hunter green breeches with this tan knee patch that was more eye-catching. I think the contrast is what makes them unique.
Personally, I think it’s bit much to be calling out copycats in this way on instagram. It’s just not very professional.
Yes, Horze is another brand that has the contrasting knee patches
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