I would like to have a civilized discussion about something that seems to not be talked about nor does anyone seem to care? Really I am not sure, but I would like designers and buyers opinions on this subject.
As of the past 6 months or so I have noticed a lot of the same designs are getting sold or in the process of trying to sell. These designs I am talking about in question are contest designs that did not win the contest that was being held. For example a person at sitepoint named "precharge" held a contest for a vB skin. Here are some examples of skins that are now being sold
http://www.talkfreelance.com/thread27136.html Or take a look at this thread with the same design
http://www.talkfreelance.com/thread26757.html not to mention I have purchased one of these similar designs that I have for my personal website at
http://www.simracingdesign.com
I would also like to point out another design that seems to be getting posted quite a bit lately as well. This was also a contest for a new design for 451 press held at sitepoint.
http://www.talkfreelance.com/thread26757.html and this
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/auction/2632? I can find more but really I don't have the time at the moment
These designs in question are just a few I would like to discuss and see how others feel about what I am about to say.
1. Is it fair to the contest holder, that the designer(s) who didn't win the contest, sell their design that they made, and is so closely matched to there contest holders newly designed website?
2. On that same note, should the designer who didn't win, be more forthcoming about the fact that this design they are selling isn't exactly a unique design?
3. Do you agree or disagree that these designs are in fact "not unique"?
4. As a buyer, do you care that the design you are going to purchase, is not the only design on the net that looks like your design your about to purchase? Colors layout etc.....
5. Also as a buyer, would you expect a refund if you were not informed until after you purchase the design that this design was made for another client and while not the same, is almost a replica?
Personally my feelings are mixed. I understand that as a non winner of a contest, you are now stuck with a very good design,or not so good, that didn't win, and now it's time to earn the money for all that time you put into it.
However, as with one of these contests, the contest holder specifically said in the contest brief, the designers will not sell this specific design, BEFORE OR AFTER the contest is over. Yet I still see these designs being offered for sale. Is that the contest holder problem for having a contest in the first place? Knowing that he can't do anything about a design similar to his being sold by someone else? Or is it up to the designer to do the right thing and do as the contest holder specifics were?
As a buyer, and my own personal preference, I don't mind that there is another design that is so closely matched to my site. But...........if I were to hold a contest, and pay out a large sum of money for a unique design, I sure as hell wouldn't want the designs that didn't win selling for thousands of dollars less that what I paid for mine. And I really wouldn't like it if I specifically said this design is not to be sold before or after this contest is over.
To solve that problem? As a buyer, I now know that if I ever want to drop $500 or $5,000 for a unique design, I will never ever hold a contest to get it done.
So this to me is the dirty little secret I speak of. I would think this would be a bigger problem that what is seems to be. Is it the "won't they don't know won't hurt them" type of attitude? The "don't ask don't tell" attitude? Or the "I don't care, it's about me" type attitude?
Or am I just making a big deal about nothing? Is this common practice on the internet since I am still new to this game? I really would like to know what the community thinks about what I just asked, if it makes sense to you, or not a big deal, or whatever you have on your mind. But keep it civil please