Getting A Steal, Or Getting A Stolen Idea?

For decades, stores and companies have made tons of money off of knock-offs, copies and designs that are a little too "similar" to the original designer. In the past, things have been settled in lawsuits or have been forgiven in the name of the trend.

The question is, would you rather get the better price and settle for the copy, or get the real thing from the original creative source?

Stevie K. is the founder of tru.che, an inspired jewelry line, sold from her Etsy. She received an email from a loyal customer, with a shocking link to the Urban Outfitters site. "My heart sank a little bit," she wrote on her own blog, shown on i make shiny things. (I know this is a lot of linkage but it's worth the read.) You can see her side of the story there, along with a side-by-side comparison of the two necklaces with corresponding prices—original and copy. This makes it marginally more difficult for an independent artisan, like her and many others that have been affected by copy-cat-companies. Even the name that Urban used was similar. The only major difference was the price, which was around $20 cheaper. Now though, as far as I can see, Urban Outfitters' version has been removed from their website.

As a town filled with small businesses and artists, Havre de Grace, I feel, can relate to something like this. I know, that as a designer, I would be heart-broken, nonetheless angry, if that were to happen to me. It happens all the time, though. Forever 21, which I have to admit, I've openly said is great for cheap versions of trends, has been in a similar situation. They are more easily forgiven because they copy from successful designers, rather than independent artists. They have settled cases out of court, but have had over 50 lawsuits filed against them from designers like Anna Sui, Diane Von Furstenberg and—gasp!—Anthropologie (owned by Urban Outfitters).

As much as I love the products that these stores offer, and would love to help produce as a part of the design team, I'm not sure about stealing ideas. Design is about inspiration in everyday life, not faking it.

Is this a viscous cycle? Or is it more like the nature of the beast? Would you sacrifice the integrity of an item for a good price? I'm all about a good deal but this really made me think. A good steal is one thing, a bad steal is a more difficult ordeal.

Perhaps once in awhile, forking up a couple extra bucks to support the artistic, small business community is worth it.

What do you think? Would you go for the copy because it's cheaper? Or would you go with the seemingly more noble choice of the original item? It's a tough one, especially when saving is so important now-a-days. I'm still deciding on that, but it would make it easier if U.O. hadn't allegedly stolen the idea in the first place.