I've recently run into a problem. As I was looking through the faceplate database last night, I saw that there is a near identical faceplate to my blue bubbles one. Now, I asked Spaceghost 2 years ago to make me this plate under the assumption that it was one of a kind and never to be duplicated. I see now that it is and I have a problem with that. I love my faceplate very much and it has never left my 360 other than when I sent it in to MS repair and when I took the pic for the database for Space. I wasn't even given a heads up that someone requested this or that he intended to sell it and I feel cheated in this situation.
Does he have a right to now make near identical copies of what I feel is my faceplate? Do I have a right to request he doesn't? Does anyone have any rights at all in a situation like this or is it all based on what the customizer wants to do? I'm sure I don't have any legal rights, but does the customizer at least have a moral obligation to not copy the plate without making more changes or running it by the original buyer? I probably sound like the bad guy in a situation like this, but I honestly feel cheated and a bit betrayed. I wouldn't be making a thread about it if I didn't. I also think it brings up an interesting topic.
I know these are tough times for all, but I feel like this is wrong. I'm unemployed at the moment and have been for awhile. I have been offered as much as $300 for my plate, but I refuse to sell it because I love it and Space's work so much. If I did have a job right now, I would offer whoever bought the duplicate double what they paid, but that's just not possible at the moment. Now it is no longer one of a kind and I feel like my original bubbles idea has been taken from me. I wouldn't have had any problems with a different color and layout of the bubbles like Space's mom did on her blingy variations, but this looks like an attempt to make it as close to mine as possible while still reasoning that it's 'not exactly the same'. It's hand drawn so of course it's not exactly the same, but it's close enough to look like a near exact copy. Should a buyer/ collector have the customizer put in writing that the plate is one of a kind and will never be duplicated? Does a customer have any say in the situation or is it all left to the creator? Seeing as the faceplate customization and collector community is such a small group and reputation seems to hold a lot of importance, would a situation like this ruin a creator or at least tarnish their image? I'm now being told that I did not pay enough for the exclusivity of the design. I never knew that was a problem when he suggested and I agreed upon a price. Is this fair or does it seem like manipulation? Creativity aside, I feel like reputation is a large part of this group and something like this is not good for the buyers or the creators.
I'd like to hear you guys' thoughts on the issue. Has anyone else experienced this before? What do you think is fair or unfair in such a situation?
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