Hi Dawn,
This is the contact detail
taynong@hotmail.com You can get your sister or anybody to go down anytime there will be staff to attend to you. Please get your sister to bring your patent documents down. Please bring the copy that is approved by Singapore. You can send it to me via email if the physical copy is not in Singapore. I have received comments from your friends/blog readers on my Facebook page with regards to your post on your blog, http://hand-made-love.blogspot.com/2011/06/shame-on-you.html
"Argh! How many times must creative types, artists repeat this. Stop stealing our work! Go create your own and stop stealing. Okay. i am just disappointed once again that my work has been stolen yet again. This time round a Singaporean label Victoria Jomo has stolen my work ( God knows how many they stole! ) and reprinted them on to shirts."
I have already told you that we have no idea what designs are yours and we don't follow or read your blog at all. And because of your accusation, there are people out there that has gotten the wrong information and like you, are accusing with no base. I suggest you do something to let people who have the wrong idea know that we did not steal your work and that we were wrongly accused soon. I will be forwarding all email conversation, your blog address and your first Facebook comment to my lawyer. This is just to let you know in case all these are being use against you legally.
Regards
Victoria
( Email from Victoria Jomo )
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It has been brought to my attention that Victoria Jomo did not steal any of my work. They emailed me to tell me that, along with lots of other stuff like how I, along with some of you readers, wrongly accused them. Yes, the shop has been selling shirts with my work on it. But they got the shirts from this other supplier/wholesaler. Let's assume it's not their fault and that they were just perhaps sad to say, a bit ignorant on their part for not checking up on the background of each work. Sorry to have caused such a huge booboo everyone. It is really not my fault that people choose to steal. Or even buy work that's stolen. Victoria Jomo sold shirts with my stolen work months ago although and I had expected that the onus would be to affirm that one wouldn't be purchasing copyright-infringed works in the future (especially where the design is similar!).
It's been a really long and trying day. I've been working 15 hours straight today and I'm just so tired and mentally exhausted. I found out a couple of minutes ago, from a close friend... another shop in Singapore sold shirts with my artworks on them. Yes. You heard me. Another shop. Another stolen work issue. IN ONE DAY. Oh yes. I've been quite passive over this entire issue for the past year but Darren is urging me to organise legal representation.
But like I said, this day's getting too long. I'm off to bed for I cannot possibly shed anymore tears. I know, I'm such a softie. That's what 15 hours of working does to me!
such is life these days...and it makes me so sad... no one has respect for other people's hard work :(
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to be mad--don't call yourself a softie! I know I would be furious if this happened to me and I'm so sorry that it's happening to you.
ReplyDeleteYou're so talented and so sweet and deserve credit for all the work you've put into your art.
yikes!! i am so sorry dawn. this is so frustrating!!
ReplyDeleteThat's just terrible!! I can't believe people can steal creativity (and lively hood) from others! They are just sad sad souless people! Hope tomorrow is a better day for you! :)
ReplyDeleteGah Dawn, what a bag of @&$/!
ReplyDeleteCould they at least, while they are "informing" you of all their virtues, provide you with the name of the supplier they got the shirts from so that you might be able to further track down the guilty party? They should not be allowed to get away with stealing your hard work....!!!
Hope you feel a bit better after a rest Sweets, but if you don't, that's ok too; it's a sucky situation to be in. xx
i agree, surely they could let you know who they bought them off in the first place. How else are you meant to find out? then you can start to rectify it. But they also have a responsibility to make sure the goods aren't stolen in the first place. *HUGS*
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible! It's not your responsability to check every shop (and supplier) on this planet!
ReplyDeleteThis shop, that sells your work, should be SO sorry of what's happening (if they really didn't know about it), and not be angry with you because you've got people supporting you! That's so unfair!
The owness is on the shop to fully research their supplier to determine if they have a history of stealing and reproducing work!
You're right, the shop and the supplier are both wrong, one for producing stolen goods, the other for selling stolen goods!
Hope it gets resolved really soon!
This is disgusting. Following points to counter their arguement.
ReplyDelete1. She has put her NAME Victoria Jomo on a stolen design. Ignorance of the design being stolen does not clear her from this. If anything, it's worse.
2. She's asking for a Singapore approved patent document. This is NOT the first time she's been accused of this.
3. She doesn't have a lawyer. Any one selling poor quality clothing items in Singapore (especially a local) could not afford a lawyer.
Please do not apologise or take back what you said.
By all means, send her any documents that can prove the designs are yours but do not apologise to her.
You are completely correct here. She's selling your design with her name on it and has now been informed of this. There's no unjust accusation here at all.
My bet is that she's trying to make this process really lenghty, to figure out how serious you are and wait until your stock runs in her store and then she'll have some other artists work ripped off.
I'm not suggesting that you sue her, I'm just suggesting that she's trying to intimidate you. Don't let her. She's selling your work with her name on it. It's as simple as that.
I bet these people don't even have a lawyer and just trying to scare you. If they cannot afford to by the correct merchandise from the right designer who made it then I bet they could not afford a lawyer. They are stink shits and people like that piss me off!!
ReplyDeleteHave they provided you with information about their supplier? If they really believe that this is not their fault, I would think that they would try to be apologetic and try to help you stop the supplier. Their continued defensive and accusatory attitude is pretty off-putting! Hope you can get to the bottom of this, but most of all I hope you can be happy and at peace! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm so mad for you. *HUUUG*
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what she's saying is absolute nonsense:
Claiming ignorance is not something that will stand up against in the court. It's like saying "Oh I've never heard about Gucci before, but I'm selling their bags cos someone sold it to me and I thought their designs were nice."
I'll be sure to get the word out.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIt's more easier if they apologies to you instead of treating you. Maybe it's not 100 % their fault not knowing that their product originality. But at least they should be more humble and admitting that they had made this mistake.
Anyway... I love crying too. Ever for something that's so simple.
We support you.
Miss Mya
hello, i don't know if i've commented here before, but think your work is great & want to encourage you to call this person's bluff & send your own letter from your own lawyer. it is not your job to ensure people don't steal your work. she has written to you like it's your fault! total rubbish! and not relevant. she has sold your work as her own. copyright infringed. case closed. sue her please! good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI've never commented before... but I can lurk no more, please do go ahead with a legal representation. I believe you have every right, and in this situation they are the ones breaching your copyright.
I would suggest instead of contacting the shops involved directly, it would be better to send an official letter from your legal representative.
From the way I see it, Victoria Jomo is trying to intimidate you. And asking you send your proof of copyright via email... that is just not right (or showing it to them, because they might take it and say it's theirs, then it is harder to deal with). If they are a legitimate business, they would handle this whole situation with more professionalism.
The best thing is to tell them, your lawyer is taking over and you've been advised not to contact them directly. Future communication will done via your lawyer and they will certainly be hearing from your lawyer.
But anyway, *hugs* and please keep doing what you are doing, because you are amazing. :)
-Jen
Because stocking stolen goods without knowing it somehow exonerates you.
ReplyDelete我一直追看你的blog
ReplyDelete十分十分欣賞你的作品和想法
記得有很多很多人支持你 而且會真金白銀買你的作品 因為我們是打從心底喜歡你的
我會為你祈禱的!
願你快樂 ^^
I completely agree with the comments above, especially Smaggle. They should be apologising to you and trying to help you rectify the situation by providing you with the supplier name AND just as importantly they should stop selling the stock with your designs on it. It is decent courtesy! Excuse my language, but what she has written is complete bullshit. She is just trying to intimidate and scare you. Don't let her win. It's okay to cry and I'm with Darren. Fight this. At least then future thieves will know how serious you are and you aren't going to stand aside and let them get away with it. We are all behind you on this.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, Dawn.
xx
I agree with everyone above, and I think, seeing as this is not the first time this has happened, investing in some good legal advice/representation may be a good thing. It would be great to know you've got the legal guns behind you to fire out letters on your behalf in the future (if this does unfortunately happen again!). Stay strong and keep your chin up. Your work is just fantastic.
ReplyDelete*hugs*
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI am from Singapore and I have been an avid reader of your blog. I love your hard work and admire your joy in producing art.
I think VJ wants to push all the blame to the wholesaler when in fact, the owner did not first find out whether the product's art or design are lisenced or patented. If everyone in the whole world says they don't know, there will not be any more artists because the latter will just be too discouraged from stolen art! If VJ are proud of their shop and wants to give the best and autentic products to their customers, then any stolen art/design on their products should be rightfully taken down from their shelves.
I am supporting you Dawn. It must be a hard time for you now but all things will be made just in due time.
Sorry, but that shop is just shifting the blame. You need to seek legal advice against them and for any other shops that feel they can get away with 'pretending they didn't know'. Artists need to band together and fight these criminals.
ReplyDeleteSupport all the comments above!
ReplyDeleteDawn jia you jia you!
Hope you will be able to tide through this horrible period, come out stronger and create more arts!
You are an inspiration to others, stay strong yah!
These are your designs! Your hard work! Not hers. It is her responsibility to ensure she does not sell illegal designs. Hold your head up high, you have done nothing wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is a highly stressful situation, and given the history, legal representation (if nothing else) will provide a cushion (like a giant bag of marshmallows perhaps :)) around you and stop meanies like this infiltrating your daily space.
be strong, xox
dear dawn
ReplyDeletethis is your intellectual property.. in future, always put a copywrite mark with Dawn Tan or Dawn Tan Designs on all of your work. Email them to let them know that this is your intellectual property, and they need to pay you for it (think of a suitable fee) and demand payment. (send an invoice).
have you heard of trevor choy he is a leading intellectual property consultant here is his site: http://www.choylawyers.com.au/trevor.htm
knowledge is power. arm yourself with knowledge and empower yourself as to your rights. their correspondence is poorly written and yes, they are just trying to waste your time and energy. they are probably not really making much money from your work anyway, it looks dreadful the way they have presented it. you are your own brand and personality anyway. people buy it because they know and like you.
it sucks, but that's life and just keep your correpsondence short sweet and formal.do let them know that what they are doing is illegal as your work is your intellectual property, and is avalaible only for a licence fee or commission, it is not free!
good luck
veronica grow
veronica grow design
Pretty poor form from Victoria Jomo. Hold your head up Dawn! You're a true gem :)
ReplyDeleteall the best!! dont give up!!!! :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn
ReplyDeleteMyself and my daughter recently attended an excellent evening at Craft Victoria with regard to protecting designs etc especially in an online environment. Now I don't want to profess to be an expert, and the presentation was after a long day at one of my paying jobs . . but I think there needs to be a clear understanding of terms like "copyright, patent etc". My understanding was that you have established "copyright" once you put your design out into the market. Issues surrounding "patent" and the overseas environment are another issue. It does my head in, but in the end I believe that law of fairness, kindness and common sense. with all good luck and best wishes Penny