When two friends shared with me they had intellectual property stolen from them recently, I was livid. I sat with why it bothered me so much. After all, it happened to them, not me, so why get so worked up about it? Here is why. I hate to see people taken advantage of.

I went to college and received a degree in graphic design. Since graduating, I have learned a lot about protecting my work, my ideas and my intellectual property. I learned the hard way. I have had numerous brand identity concepts, writing and designs stolen. I have worked for “cool people who are movers and shakers” only to have them screw me in the end. I learned that I am the CEO of ME and it is my job to take care of myself and my work. I learned to work smarter and not trust every person who told me they liked my work or they liked me. Being likable does not mean you are trustworthy.

When I hear about other people doing business and trusting the client who later steals from them, or the up and coming blogger who is frequently visited and complimented by a more seasoned blogger only to have them steal their content, it pisses me off. I know I can not fight my friends’ battles, but I can support them by calling attention to the situation. That is exactly what I do in my latest video.

How do you deal with people who have stolen your work or clients who have stolen concepts? Let’s share and become aware of ways of protecting our intellectual property.