In any kind of design work an exploration process takes place. To achieve good design designers need to work with the client researching other companies’ brands. Often you’ll ask a client to show you what they like about other logos to get an idea visually where they are coming from. Sometimes though, a client will come to a designer and say, “I really like ABC Widgets logo, can you make me one like that?” They become married to someone else’s logo. So sure as a designer I can certainly copy someone else’s logo, meaning I have the skills to do such however, I must ask one question—why would you want to steal someone else’s brand? Does your organization mean so little to you that you want to be exactly like someone else? Is your brand so lackluster that it cannot stand on its own? I suppose those are three questions but I would hope that for your company you want to blaze a trail and stand out from the masses. I would also implore you to avoid being saddled with trademark infringement lawsuits.

To some clients none of this matters they still want to steal or borrow and I find it amazing how difficult it is to convince people that a.) They don’t want to be just like someone else and b.) It’s illegal and unethical to copy someone else’s brand.

There are “designers” out there who will gladly take this work, anything for a dollar or two but what does this say about the company who will soon be sporting an unoriginal, stolen logo? It tells me they are not someone I want to do business with because they cannot be trusted. It tells me they may need to educate themselves on business ethics. Personally, if I cannot convince a client that they don’t want to steal or copy—pick your verbiage—I’m certainly not going to help them. The only thing left to do is send them on their way to someone who is “ethically challenged” and the two can pillage and plunder to their heart’s desire.

To potential logo design clients—stealing someone else’s logo is just that, stealing. Changing the colors a “little bit” doesn’t make it yours. Keep this in mind when you are looking at other logos for inspiration because it can lead to trouble and you may end up having to spend more money in the long run by fighting lawsuits and having an original logo designed.