Angela Chick’s online rant leads to Chinese giant removing copied product from sale
The rip-off merchants and copycats cause all sorts of damage to artists and small businesses – but Angela Chick Illustration has had a minor victory thanks to social media.
The designer, artist and greeting card publisher let rip with a deserved rant in art form after Chinese online fast fashion giant Shein not only pinched her design but had the gall to use her images of the product right up until Sunday, 18 June.
“Copycats stink!” Angela said. “Shop small and shop direct. And whatever you do don’t support companies like Shein who have ripped off loads of independent artists. I’m not the only small business impacted by this. Help us spread the word as this copycat stuff is damaging so many small businesses and, before long, some of us may be gone.”
Here’s the story about her very popular Mood Pin as told in Angela’s signature colourful art form:
Following her posts on LinkedIn and Instagram yesterday, Monday, 19 June, and completing the online intellectual property complaint form that Shein handily has on its website, Angela received an Instagram response stating: “Thank you for your message. We have taken down the product from our site pending an investigation. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at www.shein.com/ip-complaint.”
Angela was one of those hit by Paperchase’s initial pre-pack administration deal in 2021, and appeared on the Channel 4’s Joe Lycett: Got Your Back special episode in December last year when the comedian called out the retailer for its treatment of the small businesses which supplied cards and gifts that weren’t paid for despite being sold through by the new owners.
She told PG Buzz: “I’ve just got to get all the other copycat designs taken down now! It becomes a full time job keeping on top of reporting copies that are for sale out there, and there simply isn’t enough time for a one-person team like myself to stay on top of it.
“It’s hard enough being a small business at the moment, let alone trying to compete with companies that are selling rip-offs for a small fraction of your cost price. Following what happened with Paperchase this is really disheartening.
“It gets you to a point where you have to wonder if it’s time to throw in the towel. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth seeing people carrying on supporting these big businesses that are known to rip off artists and independents. It goes beyond morals – they’re supporting thieves.
“It’s even more disheartening seeing other small businesses doing the same as you can even find loads of copies on Etsy. We are in this together and should be supporting each other, not trying to make a quick buck off someone else’s work.”
