Comments on: I was a Victim of Intellectual Property Theft ! http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/ Build Success through Smart Marketing! Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:58:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Vivienne Quek http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-1377 Vivienne Quek Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:21:12 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-1377 Hi Tribaknoizes As I have said in my last sentence of the post, "You are a victim only if you allow yourself to be bullied.". I might be the victim but I don't intend to take it sitting down. Playing victim can't get us anywhere. I hope to have your around more often. :) Regards Vivienne Hi Tribaknoizes
As I have said in my last sentence of the post, “You are a victim only if you allow yourself to be bullied.”. I might be the victim but I don’t intend to take it sitting down. Playing victim can’t get us anywhere.

I hope to have your around more often. :)

Regards
Vivienne

]]> By: Tribalnoizes http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-1376 Tribalnoizes Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:59:55 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-1376 "We wrote to the Managing Director a letter expressing our outrage and attached with evidence of work plus a bill. He paid." Haha! Go,you! This is the first time I've read an intellectual property theft anecdote that ends with And-I-Got-paid. Best wishes with your work, TNZ “We wrote to the Managing Director a letter expressing our outrage and attached with evidence of work plus a bill. He paid.”

Haha! Go,you! This is the first time I’ve read an intellectual property theft anecdote that ends with And-I-Got-paid.

Best wishes with your work,

TNZ

]]> By: james ryley http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-342 james ryley Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:06:19 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-342 I saw your information at http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/. Have you seen http://www.FreePatentsOnline.com ? The site might be a good resource to add. This site allows free patent searching, free PDF downloading, free alerts, and more. It is a good resource for intellectual property attorneys, patent searchers, scientists, and students. I saw your information at http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/. Have you seen http://www.FreePatentsOnline.com ? The site might be a good resource to add. This site allows free patent searching, free PDF downloading, free alerts, and more. It is a good resource for intellectual property attorneys, patent searchers, scientists, and students.

]]> By: Jef Tan http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Jef Tan Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:02:14 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-95 Sighs! There really is evil everywhere isn't it? In Dubai we even had somebody attempting to hire one of our creatives (because he thought he came up with all the ideas) just to get away from hiring the team. We also had someone copy our ideas once. Our boss simply put out an invoice and sent it promptly to them. In Singapore, I'm not sure. What really is the point in trying when there is no association to protect you (4As?)? Apart from organising "functions" and occasions for people to "net" "work", these "bodies" really are quite useless. Once upon a time I've had the bad experience of seeing my ideas get stolen by someone from a government agency which is a shame (a certain corporate department of a "radio" station previously known by an acronym) and it just about did it for me. If the government does not do something about ethics then the whole private sector will follow suit (see the 3 quotes habit... we know who to thank for that!) And are we really a buyer's market? Yes we are. It seems that desperate times have called for desperate acts of stupidity: polytechnics churning out "designers" like flies and anyone who has a mouse, a PC (yes! Not even a Mac!!!) and made-in-Johor Adobe software are calling themselves designers, who in deeper desperation copy ideas, make coffee and (in some instances) sleep with their clients to make ends meet. Lose-lose situation. What to do? So many losers as a result of a loserly way of public education "administration"! That's what I reckon! Sighs! There really is evil everywhere isn’t it? In Dubai we even had somebody attempting to hire one of our creatives (because he thought he came up with all the ideas) just to get away from hiring the team. We also had someone copy our ideas once. Our boss simply put out an invoice and sent it promptly to them.

In Singapore, I’m not sure. What really is the point in trying when there is no association to protect you (4As?)? Apart from organising “functions” and occasions for people to “net” “work”, these “bodies” really are quite useless. Once upon a time I’ve had the bad experience of seeing my ideas get stolen by someone from a government agency which is a shame (a certain corporate department of a “radio” station previously known by an acronym) and it just about did it for me. If the government does not do something about ethics then the whole private sector will follow suit (see the 3 quotes habit… we know who to thank for that!)
And are we really a buyer’s market? Yes we are. It seems that desperate times have called for desperate acts of stupidity: polytechnics churning out “designers” like flies and anyone who has a mouse, a PC (yes! Not even a Mac!!!) and made-in-Johor Adobe software are calling themselves designers, who in deeper desperation copy ideas, make coffee and (in some instances) sleep with their clients to make ends meet. Lose-lose situation. What to do? So many losers as a result of a loserly way of public education “administration”! That’s what I reckon!

]]> By: exceldream http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-46 exceldream Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:11:30 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-46 Well, in our industry of Designs of Greeting Cards, copycats are everywhere. We submit our designers' designs to MNC. They liked our designs and passed to their advertising agency to print into Greeting Cards. There are many freelancers stealing our ideas. Every year, the copycats are increasing and we keep send them legal letters. At times, we could not detect who are the real culprits. Well, in our industry of Designs of Greeting Cards, copycats are everywhere. We submit our designers’ designs to MNC. They liked our designs and passed to their advertising agency to print into Greeting Cards. There are many freelancers stealing our ideas. Every year, the copycats are increasing and we keep send them legal letters. At times, we could not detect who are the real culprits.

]]> By: vivienne http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-45 vivienne Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:05:12 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-45 Hi Gobbs I shared the same sentiments with Ken Chee who said "No free pitches especially when I am handling the biz development end unless we are looking a big account." I would also provide a free pitch if it is a supportive client. Whatever the percentage of pitch fee would depend on the value of the account, but 30%-50% would be accurate. If unsure, can always refer to 4A's recommendations as a guide. Thanks for sharing. Hi Gobbs
I shared the same sentiments with Ken Chee who said “No free pitches especially when I am handling the biz development end unless we are looking a big account.” I would also provide a free pitch if it is a supportive client. Whatever the percentage of pitch fee would depend on the value of the account, but 30%-50% would be accurate. If unsure, can always refer to 4A’s recommendations as a guide. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: gobbs http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-43 gobbs Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:49:08 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-43 Just a sharing, a speaker(in one of the workshop I attended), from an established design agency, shared that its a market practice to charge a pitch fee, 30 - 50 % of full conceptual fee. Wonder what's your take on this? Just a sharing, a speaker(in one of the workshop I attended), from an established design agency, shared that its a market practice to charge a pitch fee, 30 – 50 % of full conceptual fee. Wonder what’s your take on this?

]]> By: Ken Chee http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Ken Chee Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:21:41 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-36 Hi Viv, That's the reason why I choose to let the clients come to me rather that I go to them. :) Ken Hi Viv,

That’s the reason why I choose to let the clients come to me rather that I go to them. :)

Ken

]]> By: vivienne http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-35 vivienne Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:39:52 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-35 Hi Ken For the past 20 years, I'm mostly in the creative industry. And only ONCE did I met a client who's willing to pay a pitching fee. You are right that clients expects free pitch. I know of a company called 7-8 agencies for a pitch that requires the full works of strategy, creative, media and their project value is <$50K. And yes, you are also right that most small agencies would oblige. Until we learn to charge, and willing to charge a pitch fee, the clients will continue to think that it's a buyer's market. Thanks for sharing too. :) Hi Ken
For the past 20 years, I’m mostly in the creative industry. And only ONCE did I met a client who’s willing to pay a pitching fee. You are right that clients expects free pitch. I know of a company called 7-8 agencies for a pitch that requires the full works of strategy, creative, media and their project value is <$50K. And yes, you are also right that most small agencies would oblige. Until we learn to charge, and willing to charge a pitch fee, the clients will continue to think that it’s a buyer’s market. Thanks for sharing too. :)

]]> By: Ken Chee http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Ken Chee Sat, 17 Mar 2007 09:50:33 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/21/i-was-a-victim-of-intellectual-property-theft/#comment-34 Hi Viv, thank you for sharing. I have a similar experiences like yours with a potential client. This is a QSR business and the committee is made up of the franchisor and a list of franchisee. One of the Canadian franchisee is a bloody ass during our proposal phase, demanding to have this and that, including our in-house research info! We refuse of course since they have not signed on the dotted line. In the end, they awarded the retainer account to another Oz agency stating that their concept is better. Next we know, 70% of our promotion mechanics and idea was launched as a campaign. I swore never to purchase this QSR brand even there is an outlet that is close to my home because the management committee left a bad after taste. Call me and I will warn you against them too. 2 important things that I learn and applied ever since: 1. No free pitches especially when I am handling the biz development end unless we are looking a big account. My win usually involved very little creative resource upfront. Unfortunately, many smaller agencies tend to give out their ideas too cheap and free in our local market. This is a vicious cycle because clients do not appreciate FREE IDEA! My stand is simple, YOU GOT TO PAY FOR MY IDEA THAT SELL. If not, I am ok with client going to somewhere else because they will be wasting their money on some "Branding/Creative" idea that has no commerical value even thought it is cheap. 2. Stay away from becoming the ad/marketing agency for any committee management because there are simply too many cooks with differ personal agenda. In the end, it ruins the pot of soup. Ken Chee www.kenchee.com Hi Viv, thank you for sharing.

I have a similar experiences like yours with a potential client. This is a QSR business and the committee is made up of the franchisor and a list of franchisee. One of the Canadian franchisee is a bloody ass during our proposal phase, demanding to have this and that, including our in-house research info! We refuse of course since they have not signed on the dotted line.

In the end, they awarded the retainer account to another Oz agency stating that their concept is better. Next we know, 70% of our promotion mechanics and idea was launched as a campaign. I swore never to purchase this QSR brand even there is an outlet that is close to my home because the management committee left a bad after taste. Call me and I will warn you against them too.

2 important things that I learn and applied ever since:

1. No free pitches especially when I am handling the biz development end unless we are looking a big account. My win usually involved very little creative resource upfront. Unfortunately, many smaller agencies tend to give out their ideas too cheap and free in our local market. This is a vicious cycle because clients do not appreciate FREE IDEA! My stand is simple, YOU GOT TO PAY FOR MY IDEA THAT SELL. If not, I am ok with client going to somewhere else because they will be wasting their money on some “Branding/Creative” idea that has no commerical value even thought it is cheap.

2. Stay away from becoming the ad/marketing agency for any committee management because there are simply too many cooks with differ personal agenda. In the end, it ruins the pot of soup.

Ken Chee
http://www.kenchee.com

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