Rant: a client in Portland ghosted me after using my logo, then filed a copyright claim against ME | Copyright Cop Shop - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
Rant: a client in Portland ghosted me after using my logo, then filed a copyright claim against ME
Last month I did a logo for a small coffee shop in Portland. The owner paid a $150 deposit, then stopped answering texts after I sent the first draft. Two weeks later I saw my exact design on their Instagram, painted on their storefront. I sent a polite email asking for the remaining $450, and they responded with a copyright claim against my portfolio site. They said I was using their brand without permission. I had the original sketch files, the email chain, and the deposit receipt, so I filed a counter notice with my host. It took 11 days to get my site back up, and the client never paid a dime. Now I make every new client sign a simple contract that says they can't file a claim while they owe me money. Has anyone actually gotten a chargeback or small claims win against a client who pulled this? I want to know if it's worth the $75 filing fee in Multnomah County.