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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cheeky, cheeky fucker...

121 replies

OkMaybeNot · 27/10/2018 07:00

I have a small business selling handmade items. It is very, very niche... It's not anything like crochet or

OP posts:
FuckingHateRain · 27/10/2018 07:03

Yanbu
There is always that copycat risk isn't it, hence people seeking patents etc

You might need to up your advertising or offers to make sure you're not affected

m0vinf0rward · 27/10/2018 07:04

If you've copyrighted any part of it or have a trademark then perhaps a strongly worded letter via a solicitor will be enough?

Pinkyyy · 27/10/2018 07:04

That's part of running a business I'm afraid! :( There's not much you can do really unless you have any legal rights and wanted to go down that route. But if your quality is far better, people are not silly and they will be able to see this

MissionsNotPossibleCosImaGhost · 27/10/2018 07:04

Leave it. Unless you've copyrighted whatever you do, you can't police what people do in their spare time, even if they have copied you.

If it's as badly copied as you say it is she won't go far unless she has spectacular advertising skills.

bowdownbeforelokitty · 27/10/2018 07:05

Annoying, but part and parcel of Facebook advertising wether it's cake-making or handcrafting glockenspiels. Just be sure you watermark your photos online. She will no doubt try and use yours for click-bait.

ElainaElephant · 27/10/2018 07:12

I would say something in the guise of being helpful. Maybe something like

'hey copycat, hope your new business is going well. Just wanted to give you a heads up that people are coming to me saying you are copying my wording for your adverts. It's probably just coincidence, but I thought you should know as they are getting annoyed on my behalf, and frankly that won't help your business as people talk about that kind of thing. Good luck :) '

I'm sure it could be written better though.

That way she knows you know, she'll hopefully consider changing her adverts and you don't come off as overprotective, in fact on the face of it you are trying to be helpful.

Original poster
OkMaybeNot · 27/10/2018 07:13

No, nothing copywrited, I'm very small.

They make really nice Christmas presents so maybe she'll bugger off after the festive rush.

Just can't get over it! She hasn't made a page as far as I can tell, she seems to be just sharing it to sell.

I might block her from my page though Angry

OP posts:
NisekoWhistler · 27/10/2018 07:16

Definitely block her from your page

Figgygal · 27/10/2018 07:18

Block the bitch!!

Juells · 27/10/2018 07:19

I've read the exact same thing here before (almost word for word) so it's obviously a very common practice. All you can do is block her.

WhipItGood · 27/10/2018 07:24

If it’s an unusual item, given the choice anyone would choose the original and better quality version.

I’m soo curious as to what it is you make! Especially as they make good presents.

Miscible · 27/10/2018 07:25

Change your picture and advert wording so the two pages can't be confused.

Trogdor · 27/10/2018 07:27

I need to know what this craft is! And screenshots of her awful copies.

YippeeKayakOtherBuckets · 27/10/2018 07:29

So is she advertising using a picture of your goods? And then selling a shoddy version?

Or is it her version in the photo?

Juells · 27/10/2018 07:30

Use that old Kellogs ad - plaster "The Original & Best" all over your page and promotional material 😆

ThereGoesTheAlarm · 27/10/2018 07:32

For the record I don’t think you need to actively “copyright” something. I think copyright just exists.

Original poster
OkMaybeNot · 27/10/2018 07:33

It's her version she's using in the pictures, she's just using a really similar photo composition, arranged the same way and with similar props.

Juells Grin

OP posts:
UnknownStuntman · 27/10/2018 07:34

Am I the only one who is singing the thread title to the tune of Chucklevision?

Original poster
OkMaybeNot · 27/10/2018 07:36

I won't say exactly what I sell as it's outing and I like this username.

But it involves handwritten calligraphy and heavyweight parchment.

OP posts:
NorthernRunner · 27/10/2018 07:37

I agree with juells, can you change your Facebook page to incorporate “the original...” in somewhere and perhaps add your location to your name. Definitely block her, and change your profile picture.
I’m a small business owner and it hurts when people do this

wombat1a · 27/10/2018 07:38

You don't need to copywrite anything to own the coptwrite, it's yours automatically. Trademarks are different.

Andtheresaw · 27/10/2018 07:38

She's on your friends list you say?
How about sending a link to her wall with 'They do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Thanks for the compliment!' Then block

Roussette · 27/10/2018 07:39

I would have a banner saying 'Established since 2016' (or whatever date) or as Juells says 'the original in The Midlands' (or wherever you're based)

And lock down your page! She'll know you know then. Get a friend who is FB friends with her to keep an eye on her page and always be one step ahead with whatever she might do!

Roussette · 27/10/2018 07:41

But it involves handwritten calligraphy and heavyweight parchment

Hers will be on A4 photocopier paper and a felt pen then! I would pick over her FB pictures, pick on the weak points and big it up on your FB site!

shearwater · 27/10/2018 07:43

My friend had this and got a solicitor to write a letter for her, which was enough to make the person change their site.

It's fine that she is in competition with you, it's not fine if the look of her new business is so similar to yours that it could cause confusion to customers or mske them think there is a link between the two businesses. It's called "passing off".