| There are many ways to get a deal these days, | | | | stolen more frequently. If I can help spread |
| but before you give in to the temptation to | | | | the word, maybe we can help reduce the |
| jump on board thinking you are saving a lot | | | | problem. |
| of money, consider things in perspective. If | | | | |
| someone walked up to you wearing a trench | | | | There is a growing trend toward outsourcing |
| coat offering a deal on an expensive watch, | | | | offshore for just about everything. |
| your instincts would tell you it is most | | | | Manufacturers have struggled with idea theft |
| likely stolen. If you bought it anyway, you | | | | from offshore companies for decades, but |
| would be just as guilty as the thief. | | | | copyrights and trademarks are more easily |
| | | | enforced. Before you jump into a great deal |
| When you are dealing with the Internet, the | | | | by turning to offshore outsourcing, |
| guys in trench coats can put up a respectable | | | | intellectual property rights should be one of |
| looking site and make themselves look just | | | | your main concerns. |
| like a fine jeweler. If their prices are | | | | |
| about the same as everyone else, then it may | | | | Suppose you had a web site developed in India |
| be harder to spot the frauds. When they are | | | | (either directly or through a company that |
| offering an incredible deal, consider it not | | | | uses offshore outsourcing), and instead of |
| worth the risk. | | | | creating original content, they steal it from |
| | | | various sources and pass it off to you as |
| To make matters worse, endorsements from | | | | their own work. It is an unfortunate reality |
| respectable sources might not even be enough. | | | | that offshore sources outside of U.S. |
| As I write this article, the graphic design | | | | jurisdiction are also a breeding ground for |
| industry has made a discovery that has them | | | | all forms of pirating. |
| rightfully outraged. The law is on their side | | | | |
| too, so in the near future, many unsuspecting | | | | When a copyright owner discovers your site |
| businesses are likely to find themselves | | | | with stolen content, they, or their legal |
| faced with expensive lawsuits. | | | | firm Dewey, Stickem, & Howe, will contact |
| | | | you about it. Since prosecuting the offshore |
| A major online logo provider seemed at first | | | | company is more difficult, and the copyright |
| to be just an annoyance to respectable | | | | owner may even be more irate that you used an |
| graphic designers who create logos for | | | | offshore outsource to steal their work, you |
| businesses. The company offers logos for | | | | could legally receive the full brunt of their |
| rates that should make anyone suspicious, but | | | | wrath. |
| they managed to get some endorsements from | | | | |
| sources such as The Wall Street Journal. As | | | | Copyright and trademark infringement is not |
| it turns out, many of the logos they are | | | | flattery to the owners. Original work takes |
| selling are stolen. There is mounting | | | | creativity, thought, effort, research, money, |
| evidence against them for trademark | | | | time, and other resources. Stealing it is |
| infringement and the buyers can be held just | | | | easier, and buying from a thief is often |
| as liable as the thieves. | | | | cheap, but also risky. These thieves are |
| | | | smooth con artists. They may appear very |
| The growth of the Internet makes this form of | | | | professional, but it's because they steal |
| theft more common, but also easier to catch. | | | | from people who are professional. |
| I am finding the content I create being | | | | |