Jon, I do believe you have one thing going for you. Logopond. This site has dated posts as proof or wherever the material was stolen from. There's also the waybackmachine.com
If they are stolen form you well then the PUBLIC post will be later than your original if that makes sense. Plus I assume that you have some documented material, emails,sketches,concepts from etc. Get all your material together and throw that back at them. Straycloud gave you the best option. This sounds like a good counter suit to me.
I'm on your side.

ME

Last edited by logomotive (Aug 26 • 1:46 am)

Sounds like a great opportunity for a counter suit based off of money they have made off of your stolen works. I also recommend contacting your local chapter of the AIGA. They will likely have some local lawyers. Any of whom will almost always give you a consultation and let you know where you stand.

In my experience most any lawyer is going to first just send a letter to the stock site stating where you stand. Possibly notifying them that the work is stolen, they need to remove the works, and that you intend to counter sue. A letter from a lawyer can work wonders in solving these kinds of problems quickly.

Suits that occur over "internet issues" will be filed in the state where the sale or infringement of such issue occurred so if you prove their case has no merit and counter sue and your case has merit then they have to come to your state and appear in court (if it goes to court). If not you have to go to them. BUT you if you win they may end up having to pay your expenses.

Talk to an AIGA lawyer (or one thats affiliated with the,) its really your best option.

ALSO:
That art laws is an LLC. I wouldn't sweat it.

Last edited by straycloud (Aug 26 • 6:09 pm)

You can also have an attorney that can practice law in that state appear on your behalf.

Wow, this is really ridiculous, that someone would try to not only claim your work, but try to sue you for their theft! I can't even comprehend what would make these people think they could get away with that. If they have already had 1 similar law suit and lost, that definitely supports your side strongly, as it proves this is not the first time they have pulled this.

However, perhaps they sent you the $18,000 bill as bully tactics. Hoping that rather than risking having to pay more, you will just give them the money so they don't take you to court. But I say, as has everyone else, defend your work. You are not at fault, so you should definitely counter-sue, as it seems like you can put together a strong case in your favor, and they probably won't have a leg to stand on.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in this situation, and I'm sure you'll come out on top.

AHHHH THIS IS BS! JON YOU GOT A LOT MORE PEOPLE ON YOUR SIDE!

Its becoming a bigger problem. I was banned from Design Outpost this morning which led me to start talking to clients. Apparently, they're calling EVERYONE they can find to tell them I'm under investigation for copyright infringement.

Although, I don't design at DO anymore, a lot of us used to work through the site and I still have friends I talk to on the forums. Not anymore.

Sounds like they are potentially causing you lost wages. Even if you had stolen their work, them contacting all your clients like this would leave them open for a counter suit for harassment & defamation. It's definitely time to call a lawyer. Don't fight back out of court just yet.

i would assume that an attorney would work on contingency with a case like yours, especially given that you can prove all the work is yours. good luck!

Last edited by thisGuy (Apr 04 • 1:15 am)