Jewelry design and Copyright
I read an article in JCK which got me thinking...as I felt inspired to comment there I wanted to share my response with you all here as well.The article discussed how new technology is making it easier and easier to copy a design and reproduce it....here are a few of my thoughts on the challenge this presents us designers...;-)
Of course, I agree that there is no replacing a good finish and technique but too often I am afraid the value of the earliest moments of conception can be dramatically overlooked. The price tag wins out with the majority of people and they don't even think of a knock off as "copyright" infringement ... This was proven to me recently at our custom jewelry shop ...I was speaking with a writer who had visited and I noticed the ring she was wearing as the design was recognizable. I asked if she got it from the jeweler I knew it from. She said she took their ad to a jeweler in Ny and had the design copied...
Later in her visit, I was giving her demonstrations on technique.Upon demonstrating the setting of a bezel... She commented my quality was better and that she should have brought the image to me to copy . I politely replied..." I would have refused". She was confused by this so I further explained that it would be copyright infringement and that our biggest concern is that happening to us. Therefore I refuse to copy any image brought in... I will be inspired by it but not copy it. You would think a writer working in the world of plagiarism would get this more than most... Unfortunately it is a small handful of people who even understand that creative minds and hands craft jewelry, not machines. It isn't thought of for the art form rather as an object for adornment . So it becomes each of our charge to respect each others property and educate the consumer. As for these giant companies knocking off all the truly great designers... Well at least we can fall back on unique and well crafted designs to keep us small custom shops going . That combined with a true passion for designing and creating will hopefully generate an appreciation from the consumer for the magic that happens on the Jewelers bench ,beginning with the design and ending with their treasure.
So in conclusion I present challenges... To the wearer look at the life of the jewelry you buy... great design and quality come from someones hands whether it is a factory in china knocking off designs or the custom jeweler down the street. To the makers...it's up to you to refuse to copy another design . In this economy lost sales are challenging but unique design is to be treasured . Afterall technology is a great blessing to each of us when used properly . Have an inspired day!
You can read JCK's article here.
Of course, I agree that there is no replacing a good finish and technique but too often I am afraid the value of the earliest moments of conception can be dramatically overlooked. The price tag wins out with the majority of people and they don't even think of a knock off as "copyright" infringement ... This was proven to me recently at our custom jewelry shop ...I was speaking with a writer who had visited and I noticed the ring she was wearing as the design was recognizable. I asked if she got it from the jeweler I knew it from. She said she took their ad to a jeweler in Ny and had the design copied...
Later in her visit, I was giving her demonstrations on technique.Upon demonstrating the setting of a bezel... She commented my quality was better and that she should have brought the image to me to copy . I politely replied..." I would have refused". She was confused by this so I further explained that it would be copyright infringement and that our biggest concern is that happening to us. Therefore I refuse to copy any image brought in... I will be inspired by it but not copy it. You would think a writer working in the world of plagiarism would get this more than most... Unfortunately it is a small handful of people who even understand that creative minds and hands craft jewelry, not machines. It isn't thought of for the art form rather as an object for adornment . So it becomes each of our charge to respect each others property and educate the consumer. As for these giant companies knocking off all the truly great designers... Well at least we can fall back on unique and well crafted designs to keep us small custom shops going . That combined with a true passion for designing and creating will hopefully generate an appreciation from the consumer for the magic that happens on the Jewelers bench ,beginning with the design and ending with their treasure.
So in conclusion I present challenges... To the wearer look at the life of the jewelry you buy... great design and quality come from someones hands whether it is a factory in china knocking off designs or the custom jeweler down the street. To the makers...it's up to you to refuse to copy another design . In this economy lost sales are challenging but unique design is to be treasured . Afterall technology is a great blessing to each of us when used properly . Have an inspired day!
You can read JCK's article here.
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