Is Anything Ever New? Fashion Design Students' Perceptions of Piracy

Abstract

Design piracy is the unauthorized copying of another designer or manufacturer's work. While controversial, it is an instiutionalized practice in the aparel industry. The purpose of this study was to beter understand student perceptions of design piracy, particularly as it is one they wil encounter in their future carers. The authors interviewed twenty-four aparel design students at a land-grant Midwestern University. Data was analyzed using theme analysis. Thre themes developed including: 1) Expresions of cognitve disonance in statements expresing enjoyment of the practice of design piracy as a consumer; yet disapointment when (and if) their own design work was copied. 2) Concerns regarding the definiton of originality and the logistics of enforcing a plan against design piracy. 3) Diferences of opinion regarding the prevalence of the practice, particularly if the students had industry experience or not. Advice for profesors from students regarding piracy is included.