[Jewelry making - Article 00999] - [Orchid] Custom jewelry and design ownership

[Silverspotstudio]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Hi all,

    Here's an issue I've been mulling over for quite some time, which
    I've finally decided to post. 

    I sometimes find myself reluctant to add custom-designed pieces to
    my production line because I'm concerned about the reaction of the
    customers who commissioned them. In one case, the customer requested
    a jewelry suite based on a certain species of beetle endemic to
    Patagonia. I know the design would be very popular with the other
    entomologists that form much of my customer base, but I've been
    hesitant to display it at meetings I know that this customer will
    attend, in case he might resent the idea that "his" beetle is being
    reproduced. This guy is one of the primary researchers of this
    species, and entomologists tend to take a proprietary view of the
    insects they work with! 

    In another situation, a customer requested a spider to decorate a
    fantasy knife that forms part of his own line. I would like to add
    the spider to my line as a pendant/earring/pin etc., but I'm worried
    that this might represent a conflict with the knifemaker's work. 

    Legally speaking, I'm pretty sure that these designs are my property.
    (Those who know more about this sort of thing, please chime in!) I'm
    more concerned about the less tangible sticky wickets of potential
    hurt feelings, customer loyalty, and loyalty to my customers. Am I
    right to be concerned about this, or am I just needlessly consumed by
    guilt? (And I'm not even Catholic!) 

    Thanks for your advice and shared experiences, 

Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________