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Posted by hipstomp | 27 Oct 2008
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Comments (12)
Came across this one in a "Modern Morals" column:
Q: I have been working in industrial design for almost 20 years. Recently a friend told me about a design idea he had proposed for his daughter, who is just starting out in her design career.The idea, which is linked to the 2010 World Cup, would make her lots of money if she were to follow through with it. Since being given this idea two months ago it seems that she has still done nothing about it. For my part, I have thought about little else and really think that with some improvements it could really be a money spinner. I want to put in a proposal, but feel I am stealing their idea. Should I just be ruthless and go ahead with it?
So--what would you do? And we wanna hear what you'd do before you read Mr. Morality's answer, here.
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Comments
I would propose my improvements to my friend and his daughter and ask to be a partner in the potential investment.
It seems like a great opportunity for collaboration. The idea isn't entirely yours, but the improvements you have in mind and your years of experience should allow you to take a greater percentage of profits.
I just can't see how it would be ethical to take the idea and run with it without the permission of the other parties.
Profit over friendship? Your choice I suppose.
No brainer - collaborate!
i have to disagree with the collaboration number one bc that girl has already been given much more than the daughter of a lawyer who is starting a design career. Design is competitive and if that girl doesn't want to start working on something, than she obviously has a lot to learn. there are no copyrights on thoughts and if the guy can't stop thinking about it then maybe this is his break. He's been working for 20 years in the business. Designers feed off of others and their ideas. I think this would be a great way for the daughter to start taking her fathers advice and for her to see what happens when you let a good idea spoil.
First offer collaboration, but aim for...
Putting your money where your mouth is. Ditch her in a respectful, legal and polite manner.
Buy her out and sign paper work to the effect. Carry the idea to realization without the under-ambitious collaborator.
Let's see, you've been in the biz for 20 years, and she's just starting out?
The answer is....it's unbelievably lame that you're even *considering* taking the idea yourself.
The right thing to do: tell her about your improvements, offer support and sounding board, don't ask for anything in return.
Do you really have so few decent ideas that you're considering stealing them from a new grad? I think that's the saddest thing I've heard in a long time...
Let me preface this with: I am an ID newcomer, and I came over from the business field.
Let me tell you that in a typical undergraduate business class, if this question was posed to a room full of students, over 70% would answer that the idea should be stolen. This is something that I truly disagree with.
I am SO glad you guys/gals said to collaborate, it really justifies my switch to this field!
Its only idea stealing if you neglect to make it better.
I would ask her if she needs any help developing the idea or if she would want to combine forces. Otherwise if she seems disinterested ask the father the same thing. If he doesn't go for it, ask if you can use it and give them some sort of idea credit?
First, if it was a secret, he wouldn't have told you. He's just excited about his idea, and wants some response, some stoke! We all do.
I would ask the dad if he is interested in getting involved. He seems like an easier person to work with (more experience), and he is also the originator of the "idea" at hand, technically the one "intellectually owning" the idea property. So ask if he will sell it? Write a contract, maybe he gets 10% if it does indeed make money, but just to assume something is a "winner" is also a shot in the foot, that kinda omits the design process.
The girl sounds ummm how do I say this, LAZY! And she needs to learn a good design lesson. She's given an idea, and does nothing with it..... I think the dad is probably like, what did I pay all that money for school for? Time for "real life school" lesson 101.
Even after 20 years of Design experience he does not know that what everyone does - especially the very well respected and known designers in our life. They sit on the greatest channels of inspiration and take it greatly to consider to design their own products. Welcome to the real world. Though maybe the person can take her under his wing for this ...
Do you really have to ask this? I am a bit shocked about some of the earlier comments "profit over friendship" blabla.
You are the person with the experience, you can help that girl a big deal with your advice - she obviously hasn't understood her idea's potential to the degree you are able to foresee.
Offer her your advice, or a collaboration, and share the profits evenly. That way you are not ripping her off or "stealing" her idea, but she will also not feel patronized.
It also will be a helpful starter's lesson for her that in the design world it is about money and you don't get things for free.