We’re definitely not OK with copyright violations and are doing our best to eliminate and prevent clear cases of theft. Copyright violations aren’t good for anyone.

If your design has been stolen, please bring it to our attention as soon as possible. We’ll investigate, and if there’s a clear case of copyright violation going on we’ll remove the offending entries and suspend the user indefinitely.

However, there are cases where a certain amount of similarity is expected, especially between designers competing in the same contest. If you are directed by the contest holder to use a common concept in your entries such as an arrow, a circle or a butterfly, you are not able to claim copyright on that concept. Similarly, if a designer is the first to use a general concept and other designers take up the use of that concept with a different implementation, this is allowable. The concept cannot be owned.

Basically, it boils down to this — concepts cannot be owned, but implementations can.

If you’re still unhappy with the resolution (and you can prove your ownership of the design in question) consider filing a DMCA takedown notice. But be warned — you’ll be liable for damages, including costs and lawyers or attorneys fees, if you materially misrepresent that an activity is infringing your copyright.

For more information, check out our Copyright and IP page.