Profile for Alex Tree - Ethical dilemma

Alex Tree aka Redgoldsparks is 23.08 years old, has been a member since January 9, 2008, has scored 1,836 submissions, giving an average score of 1.88, helping 43 designs get printed.

AIM: Alex Tree

Jul 25 '08 by Alex Tree
8 Comments
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Ethical dilemma

I have an ethical dilemma. I came up with a design I rather like, but have not had the chance to submit yet. On a whim, I decided to search its title in "submissions" and what do you know. Someone else already thought up my idea and submitted a relatively similar design. I (this should not be surprising) think mine is better, but...if I submit it, I'm sure the author of that design will feel like I have stolen their thing, even though mine is different and I came up with it totally independently. So, what do I do? Do I submit mine anyway, or do I have to drop one of my favorite designs in the works?
Was being stupid or thoughtful even to check? ( Like a coward I want refrain from checking my titles in the future, just to avoid this kind of decision.) Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Spam69 on Jul 25 '08 at 6:38pm

First of all did the other design go to print? If so you are wasting your time as they won't print a very simlilar design as something that has gone before. Otherwise just go for it. When was this other design done? If it was years ago that person may no longer be around any way. Alot of concepts have been done over and over. Penguins who want to fly for instance.

It's not a flying penguin is it?

ISABOA on Jul 25 '08 at 6:40pm

sinceyou know about it before doing the actual designing - I would cut losses and move on - cause you will probably get alot of comments linking to the earlier one - and who needs that

againstbound on Jul 25 '08 at 6:41pm

I always check for similar subs before I start working on an idea, helps me see if it has been done/overdone and if so, to be more creative in the way I'd be portraying it or move to something else. A little research is always good.

Alex Tree on Jul 25 '08 at 6:43pm

The other design was not printed, and it was submitted almost three years ago. No, it has no penguins in it. The reason I still want to sub mine is because...this sounds really egotistical...I think mine will appeal to more people.

Spam69 on Jul 25 '08 at 6:55pm

There is probably only a dozen or so people who have been surfing this site left from 3 years ago so if you think it's a good concept just go for it. You could always prefix the design with " I found out that this concept had been done before but this is my take on it, I hope you enjoy it" to take any sting out of possible calls of plagiarism but I think it unlikely.

3 days later