Thoughts on image theft

Here's a little story.

Back in the mid to late 90's, in the days when Netscape ruled almighty, I had one of my web sites copied entirely (general look and feel, some content). Of course my initial reaction was to be seriously pissed off. However after some investigation, I surprisingly found out that the person who did this really had no malicious intent; they simply liked my design so much they wanted to use it as a basis for their own. I had to learn to see this as a form of flattery, no matter how undignified it felt at the time.

You are obviously very talented, and as strange as it may sound people will take pride in displaying your work, showing it to their friends and sharing it with the world. I think it's part of the human nature, to take what's out there and infuse it with a bit of your own touch, even if in some cases it means adding very little to the original work (i.e. ripping it off completely). Some people just don't have the talent to create beautiful art or to be original in their own way...

Now as to why they would not bother to give proper credit is a different thing. Unfortunately, I think a lot of that comes with maturity, for one to recognize that this work isn't their own. Give them the benefit of the doubt, but do contact them to let them know you'd appreciate the credit where it's due. If anything, perhaps this will serve them as a lesson that honesty and hard work are more rewarding on a personal level.

If that person is making money with your work or using it in ways that are not considered legal, then of course that is an entirely different matter, and as you pointed out your lawyer may be a better course of action.

Best regards.