My competitors steal all of my ads, ideas and catch phrases!?

Question

Everytime I come up with something new for my small business and start to promote with it I'll see my competitors using the same ideas a couple of months later. How can I let my clients know I was the one who originated all of the great ads, layouts and catch phrases? Also, how can I stop my competition from stealing from me? I already made my website generic (which I really didn't want to) and I try to pre-qualify my clients, but for some reason the competition still ends up using my work. I don't have anyone working with me so it's not someone within my work environment.

Answer 1

Cindi,

It sounds to me like you have answered your own question. Your ideas are obviously good, otherwise the other guys wouldn't copy you, right? Stay one step ahead, stay innovative. As soon as they adopt your layout or slogans, be ready with the next round. It will leave them looking old and stale and it will show how creative you are.

Answer 2

You can burn things (ads, billboards, etc.) to a DVD and send it off - check www.copyright.gov for details. Do this if you have ORIGINAL tag lines or product names.

What you can't copyright is sayings that have already been around, like "You can't afford to miss this" (which is horribly stupid anyway) or promotional deals, sales, etc.

Major successful brands change their campaigns every few months. This is what's neccessary to stay on top.

Answer 3

“My competitors steal all of my ads, ideas and catch phrases!?”
Copyright Greed_2.0 all rights reserved.

Register your patents and trademarks and sue – Like I am going to do to you for stealing my question.

Answer 4

Convert your business into an advertising agency, since they obviously like your ideas after all, and charge them for your expertise!

Answer 5

copyright your work, then you can sue their pants off when they steal it