Comments on: Logo Theft – Copy, Alter and Replicate…Shamefully Though! http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/ Logo Design News & Tips Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:32:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Benjamin http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-30106 Benjamin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:43:39 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-30106 I think that often not always but often when a logo is being made the people asking for it will have a certain set list of criteria they want to come across in the logo. Seeing as their are so many projects trying to operate under the same rhetoric of simplicity and sleek'ness their are bound to be duplicates. Also I think in the case of alot of the rounded logos its down to the ease of that method of working in illustrator or whatever vector program is at hand. I think that often not always but often when a logo is being made the people asking for it will have a certain set list of criteria they want to come across in the logo. Seeing as their are so many projects trying to operate under the same rhetoric of simplicity and sleek’ness their are bound to be duplicates. Also I think in the case of alot of the rounded logos its down to the ease of that method of working in illustrator or whatever vector program is at hand.

]]> By: Dan Lewis http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-15658 Dan Lewis Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:41:18 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-15658 Just to clarify regarding the Laszlo logo. We also began in 1999 and the logo was done in early 2000. It was a challenge to come up with a solution for a number of reasons. First, it's not the best name in the world, our product was difficult to convey easily and the "L" is not the best letterform in the world. We went through quite a few ideas for logos and this one was inspired but some simple graphical elements that we played with which were then refined and simplified. Prior to coming across this blog I had never heard of Etelos or seen their logo, which it seems came out later. Assuming our logo was completed first, am I upset about Etelos' logo? Not in the least. They share a common graphical element. That's it. Nearly impossible to create a logo now that doesn't in some small way look like someone else's, either in form or color. As a designer you only have a certain amount of influence anyways. Generally you create concepts and then present them, take feedback and work towards a final design. There are often lots of external forces driving you down solution paths you might not always choose. Just to clarify regarding the Laszlo logo. We also began in 1999 and the logo was done in early 2000. It was a challenge to come up with a solution for a number of reasons. First, it’s not the best name in the world, our product was difficult to convey easily and the “L” is not the best letterform in the world. We went through quite a few ideas for logos and this one was inspired but some simple graphical elements that we played with which were then refined and simplified.

Prior to coming across this blog I had never heard of Etelos or seen their logo, which it seems came out later. Assuming our logo was completed first, am I upset about Etelos’ logo? Not in the least. They share a common graphical element. That’s it. Nearly impossible to create a logo now that doesn’t in some small way look like someone else’s, either in form or color.

As a designer you only have a certain amount of influence anyways. Generally you create concepts and then present them, take feedback and work towards a final design. There are often lots of external forces driving you down solution paths you might not always choose.

]]> By: Steven Stiles http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-11116 Steven Stiles Sun, 04 Nov 2007 02:22:03 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-11116 Has anyone else noticed the CMA Country Music Awards logo has a suspicious similarity to Star Trek's starfleet arrowhead insignia? Really the two are virtually indistinguishable. Country music and SciFi, now why didn't anyone think of that sooner. C'mon Joe saddle up the starship and let's rustle us up some Klingons. Has anyone else noticed the CMA Country Music Awards logo has a suspicious similarity to Star Trek’s starfleet arrowhead insignia? Really the two are virtually indistinguishable. Country music and SciFi, now why didn’t anyone think of that sooner. C’mon Joe saddle up the starship and let’s rustle us up some Klingons.

]]> By: Casey http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10526 Casey Sat, 13 Oct 2007 02:26:04 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10526 Some of these examples are most likely coincidental and not theft. Some of these examples are most likely coincidental and not theft.

]]> By: Matt http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10194 Matt Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:03:29 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10194 i agree with these comments. I think you're stretching pretty far on the planned parenthood/applied materials one, and the laslo/etelos logos use a very common symbol found in logo design. MANY logos use that same little barbell looking symbol... i hardly think that they are stealing the logo from someone just by using common design elements. also the sun logo issue can be seen repeated in hundreds of logos (i would imagine) all over the world. that pattern is certainly not unique in any way and similar patterns can be seen in clothes, architectural structures, old symbols, jewelry etc. i mean... using this argument you can say that all these logos are stealing from ancient artists. Anyway... i think you make a valid point that a lot of designers don't try to create logos that are unique enough. I do however think that there are only so many different ideas we can have. Where does the line get drawn though is the real question. Certainly we can't expect people not to take inspiration from other's ideas. but on the other hand we should expect that they will use the inspiration to aid them in creating unique things instead of copying someone else's work. i agree with these comments. I think you’re stretching pretty far on the planned parenthood/applied materials one, and the laslo/etelos logos use a very common symbol found in logo design. MANY logos use that same little barbell looking symbol… i hardly think that they are stealing the logo from someone just by using common design elements. also the sun logo issue can be seen repeated in hundreds of logos (i would imagine) all over the world. that pattern is certainly not unique in any way and similar patterns can be seen in clothes, architectural structures, old symbols, jewelry etc. i mean… using this argument you can say that all these logos are stealing from ancient artists.
Anyway… i think you make a valid point that a lot of designers don’t try to create logos that are unique enough. I do however think that there are only so many different ideas we can have. Where does the line get drawn though is the real question. Certainly we can’t expect people not to take inspiration from other’s ideas. but on the other hand we should expect that they will use the inspiration to aid them in creating unique things instead of copying someone else’s work.

]]> By: Giuliano http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10190 Giuliano Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:27:23 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-10190 Scotish - Quark = YES (100%) Sun - Columbia = YES (80%), obviously inspiration is from Sun logo Lazlo - Etelos = NO (There is 100+ Web 2.0 logos with similar detail) Planned - Applied = ABSOLUTELY NO (I really can't take you as a experienced designer if you think that this is stolen logo???) Scotish - Quark = YES (100%)
Sun - Columbia = YES (80%), obviously inspiration is from Sun logo
Lazlo - Etelos = NO (There is 100+ Web 2.0 logos with similar detail)
Planned - Applied = ABSOLUTELY NO (I really can’t take you as a experienced designer if you think that this is stolen logo???)

]]> By: Blake http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9993 Blake Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:39:17 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9993 I think that some of these examples of "theft" are unintentional. Visual ideas are always going to have a lot of overlap, not only because logos are reduced to the simplest possible version of a concept or feel, but because designers very closely follow trends, and limit the pool of likely ideas even more. Look at the field of "web 2.0 style" sites with their mirrored text-based logos and teardrop shaped icons. You could find hundreds of examples of "theft" that are probably better described as designers with similar backgrounds working within a relatively narrow visual style. I think that some of these examples of “theft” are unintentional. Visual ideas are always going to have a lot of overlap, not only because logos are reduced to the simplest possible version of a concept or feel, but because designers very closely follow trends, and limit the pool of likely ideas even more.

Look at the field of “web 2.0 style” sites with their mirrored text-based logos and teardrop shaped icons. You could find hundreds of examples of “theft” that are probably better described as designers with similar backgrounds working within a relatively narrow visual style.

]]> By: geez http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9966 geez Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:31:10 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9966 You're going too far saying logo THEFT, pointing fingers directly to those people. The first case has such a stupidly simple design that it's almost impossible not to find something like that being used somewhere else. Actually, all your examples have fairly simple lines that are so easy to remember, yet so easy to be copied unintentionally. I've seen many examples of identical logos from opposite companies in different countries that are not "thefts" for sure. When you create a logo you must make it unique, simple, and that is meant to be remembered. if you make it a circle inside a square, it surely won't be unique. Sometimes people go way too far because of these things.. geez You’re going too far saying logo THEFT, pointing fingers directly to those people. The first case has such a stupidly simple design that it’s almost impossible not to find something like that being used somewhere else. Actually, all your examples have fairly simple lines that are so easy to remember, yet so easy to be copied unintentionally. I’ve seen many examples of identical logos from opposite companies in different countries that are not “thefts” for sure. When you create a logo you must make it unique, simple, and that is meant to be remembered. if you make it a circle inside a square, it surely won’t be unique.
Sometimes people go way too far because of these things.. geez

]]> By: Russ http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9897 Russ Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:12:49 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9897 I can see some major similarities in some of the logos mentioned. But I think you are drawing a long bow on the rest. Sure they have similar attributes, but theft is a pretty damaging term t apply to many of your examples. Best be careful how far you push that opinion. I can see some major similarities in some of the logos mentioned. But I think you are drawing a long bow on the rest.

Sure they have similar attributes, but theft is a pretty damaging term t apply to many of your examples.

Best be careful how far you push that opinion.

]]> By: Father Dom http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9889 Father Dom Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:22:24 +0000 http://www.logoblog.org/wordpress/the-art-of-logo-theft/#comment-9889 I think you need to re-examine what design is. Design exists as derivatives "of". There is no design which is completely unique, since we humans base our understanding based on shared experiences- ways of perceiving "something", meaning that the "something" already exists. There are cases where designers just plain'ol copy and that is wrong. Besides the first example, which "could" have been copied, the other two are not. But maybe you as a designer would like to hire I trademark lawyer to actually prove your article valid. I find it quite funny that you are talking about logo theft when this is exactly what you are doing! You don't have the right top post these logos on your site!!!!!!! I think you need to re-examine what design is. Design exists as derivatives “of”. There is no design which is completely unique, since we humans base our understanding based on shared experiences- ways of perceiving “something”, meaning that the “something” already exists. There are cases where designers just plain’ol copy and that is wrong. Besides the first example, which “could” have been copied, the other two are not. But maybe you as a designer would like to hire I trademark lawyer to actually prove your article valid. I find it quite funny that you are talking about logo theft when this is exactly what you are doing! You don’t have the right top post these logos on your site!!!!!!!

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