Etsy Girls vs. Urban Outfitters: A Case Study in Social Influence

By Lori On July 9, 2012 · 7 Comments

Truche's I love NY necklace design

A dear friend prominent in the Etsy community sent me this true “David and Goliath” story that demonstrates the power of online community.

Urban Outfitters, featuring “clothing, accessories, and apartment items,” appears to have ripped off the design of solo entrepreneur, Stevie K on Etsy.

This design-jacking by major brands has become a trend.

But when people with common interests band together, as the Etsy girls have here, even large corporations have to take notice and mend their ways if they don’t want to suffer the backlash of public opinion and resulting lost sales.

Have a look. It’s also amazing how word spread like wildfire online.

In your opinion, what’s the most effective way Urban Outfitters could respond to this crisis? What would you do if a large company tried ripping off your work? Please scroll down to the comments below and share.

Photo credit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/truche/search?search_query=NY&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search

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http://twitter.com/selahsynergy/status/223929024823566336/ Susan Barr (@selahsynergy)

Etsy Girls vs. Urban Outfitters: A Case Study in Social Influence http://t.co/4ngb59aa
http://twitter.com/wagnerwrites/status/225646177327128577/ (@wagnerwrites) (@wagnerwrites)

Great case study! Etsy Girls vs. Urban Outfitters: A Case Study in Social Influence http://t.co/cWpx1g3C
http://belviq-sideeffects.com/ Ellaine

Girls love accessories, clothes shoes. But most women spend a lot on electronics compare to men.
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  Interesting comment! Is that because women do the bulk of buying for households and businesses?
elainebiss

There is no easy way for a company to address such claims but the best thing to do is to address it immediately as well as have the artist address it publicly. This is the second known case of Urban Outfitter trotting through etsy to grab ‘inspiration’. This is common practice and needs to stop. Even Martha Stewart has done it (http://stylecontessa.blogspot.com/2009/03/faux-martha-we-all-get-inspired.html). It`s one thing to get an idea from an idea. But to reproduce an idea, it`s sad.
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  You’re so right!! Thanks for adding that Martha Stewart link to the discussion. The best way for this to end is to make it loud and long every time they get caught stealing.
http://twitter.com/elainebiss/status/227142569614774272/ elainebiss (@elainebiss)

Etsy Girls vs. Urban Outfitters: A Case Study in Social Influence http://t.co/I3jZS9Ay