Dilemma

This is sort of a what would you do in this situation, question.

A while back I met a really cool person who offered to make something for me that I could not make myself. I've had wonderful luck with this sort of thing and it continues to be a bright spot in SL.....people coming out of the woodwork to offer help.

While I was out wandering about today.....I came upon something that was very clearly the design that this person had taken their idea from and simply modified. I mean...it was screamingly obvious. Perhaps it was the other way around.....but what I saw today had a lot more detail and I know I've seen that creater before and they do some amazing stuff.

So....now I'm feeling sort of like a heel because I had this person create something for me and now I strongly suspect he ripped off another for his idea. It really irks me and this is a good guy.... so I'm not comfortable making accusations.....but it bothers me because I saw what I saw.... and there's just no question it's the same design. And no it isn't skin. LOL

So....what do you do in this situation? And how much does a creater tolerate being 'copied' in their work. I know it happens all the time and yada yada yada....but as creaters.....where do you draw the line between being flattered by someone's trying to mimick you.....and being pissed off by someone taking your design, making a couple minor alterations and selling it as theirs. *shrug*

I guess what makes me feel so crappy is that now i have this thing......and i sorta feel like I've got stolen goods and it makes me uncomfortable. not to mention I like the guy that did it for me, tho I don't know him 'that' well... I hate to think he'd do something that blatent.
*sigh*

Say two hail marys and eat this cake:

Buy the original product. Then stop worrying about it.

I assume it is incredibly difficult to do anything original that is why there is few original content in world.

I've had a few ppls, long time friends even, make me something for me [either my idea/starter build or not]
but for me me me! *aww* ...
Only to give to other ppls, sell themselves, or get noticed, w/o a thought!
Get use to it, some ppls have an unbelievable way of taking back what they instill.


*Disclaimer part, not the wonderful store owners who I have asked to make something and they have offered to sell w/e to me exclusive or to sell to anyone. They rock and I appreciate they took the time to consider or have made things for me I so couldn't have and enjoy!*

Just one way how ppls think in SL "Now you know."

When life gives you a dilemma, you make dilemmanade.

"dilemmanade" HAHA! Where is the big laughing out loud smiley?

Ok fine......gimme that cake.

McDonalds = Burger King
Shell = Mobil

C'mon, its not like he put his name on someone elses work.

JulieAnne

I wouldn't think it's too big of an issue. So he took inspiration from something someone else made. People do that all the time. He didn't actually steal this item from it's original creator and try to pass it off as his own, he only looked at it and attempted to recreate. That doesn't make him bad in my opinion. And he's not selling it, or at least you don't mention that he is.

What he basically did was just increase his own building skills by attempting his own rendition of something he'd maybe or maybe not seen. As a favor to you. Nah...he's not really one of the bad guys me thinks.

Um actually yes he is selling it. But whatever.....people do take inspiration, this is true. I guess because it is something so unique in design and easily recognizable when you see that same design somehwere else....that's what really struck me.

There's been plenty of times where I've seen something I dmired and tried to recreate it with my own flare.......I would never just duplicate....cut off a few prims and call it my work. Never.

But ya know what.....I don't want to drag this out. It's not worth it. It's not really my problem....just something I happened to find out by accident.

What do you do when you learn something a friend may have acted in a way that distresses you?

Either find a way to accept it or move on to friends with values more in line with your own? It can help to talk with them about your concerns, maybe they had valid reasons for acting as they did? Maybe they don't share your interpretation of ethics or morals?

Either way this might be an opportunity for growth, personally or the relationship, don't you think?

As for what I would do? I'm a talker, I'd talk it out with them if I could...