What Do You Do When Someone Copies Your Work For Commercial Purposes
At what point does something go beyond inspiration?
Edward McGowan is a California based photographer who has an interesting situation in his hands. He took this photo back in 2011 and it was quite popular! You can also see it on Flickr here. He's seen his fair share of people trying to steal it for YouTube song cover photos, but nothing close to what he just found out.
Just the other day, he received a message from a photographer friend who happened to notice his image in Germany. Something didn't look right. On closer inspection it wasn't actually his image, but a seemingly blatant copy! Do you think there is any way that it was pure coincidence?
It turns out that it was an advertising some sort of bladder infection medication for this company. I guess nothing says bladder infection like sitting on a rainy sidewalk in shorts! I mean, aren't you cold? Girl...
I asked Edward and he said it was produced by the ad agency Strategas. They distribution is quite wide granted they have the materials crafted for it.
I asked Edward what he's going to do and he's unsure at the moment. I think we're both in shock.
What does one do when someone seemingly steals your vision without stealing your photograph in another country? What can you do? Could it all be just one big coincidence?
What would you do? Leave your comments below.
You can see more of Edward's work on the links below:
Website | Instagram
