The font on their sign... there's something about that too, isn't there?
Anyway... Jeebus!
Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery.
But when it's a poor imitation, it's just insulting.
I created Lil' Dave and Bad Monkey "DaveToons" back in 2002 for my Hard Rock Cafe fan site "DaveCafe" (click here for the whole story). Since that time, they've appeared on my blog regularly, and have been printed on everything from shirts and hats to playing cards and bumper stickers. Here at my home in the Wenatchee Valley, they've been all around for years because I'm often giving T-Shirts away to my friends or donating them to events and such.
So I imagine it was only a matter of time before somebody decided to rip-off my characters to sell their crap. A year or so ago, somebody told me that a coffee stand had changed "Bad Monkey" to "Naughty Monkey" and made him as the mascot for their business...
Poor imitation on the left, original on the right
He's kind of been butchered here... the relocation of his nose is particularly disturbing
They even took the color of the shirt he was printed on!
The sad thing is that if the owners of the coffee stand had bothered to follow the copyright link on the shirt to my blog and emailed me, I might have given them permission to use my character and also do their artwork for them if they were nice! It's a small valley... we may even know the same people. Maybe we could have worked out a deal where they'd sell my shirts and I'd split the profits with them! I usually don't license out my art for commercial purposes... but, come on, a struggling independent local coffee company wanting to name their business after something you created? How cool is that?!?
But they didn't, and (assumably) ripped me off instead (I don't buy this as a coincidence). Then, surprise! IT'S KARMA, BITCH!
The reason I don't license my characters or give permission to use them for commercial purposes is simple. I don't make any money off my creations, so why should anybody else? I guess that doesn't stop people from taking them anyway. And, in this case, I guess justice was served.
At least until somebody else buys the business and re-opens it.
Probably. Why get original on the font after you've taken the character?
Dave2 replied to comment from RW on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Oh. So I probably shouldn't start blog featuring Lil' Michelle and her sidekick,"cheeky monkey".
Posted by Michelle M. on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Hey, it's not like other people have been bothered by copying me! :-)
Dave2 replied to comment from Michelle M. on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Seriously. Shouldn't I get a cut of the $42,000 asking price?
Dave2 replied to comment from karla on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Yeah, as you can tell I'm just wracked with grief here.
Dave2 replied to comment from muskrat on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Although I have to give them credit for their taste in monkeys!
Dave2 replied to comment from Sybil Law on January 22, 2010 | Reply
THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU PUT NOSE HOLES IN THE WHITES OF A MONKEY'S EYES. NOSTRIL KARMA.
Oops I left caps lock on by accident, but I'm too lazy to go back and re-type that. Still. Karma.
Posted by Karen Sugarpants on January 22, 2010 | Reply
The more I look at their interpretation, the more disturbing it is to me. I don't get it at all.
Dave2 replied to comment from Karen Sugarpants on January 22, 2010 | Reply
And here I was, thinking we could open a sex toy shop called "Spanking Monkey." Or maybe a childcare center. Can't decide which.
Posted by Coal Miner's Granddaughter on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Well, if you need help with graphics for THAT endeavor, you know where to find me!
Dave2 replied to comment from Coal Miner's Granddaughter on January 22, 2010 | Reply
In a low-down sneaky bastardy sort of way, it's flattering a little.. maybe. I think I would be more offended that they did such a lousy job ripping off the monkey face.. where the playful essence? Where's the primal mischievousness? Instead all you get is a uninspired coffee cup turned upside down with a plastic lid and a goofy design on the side. Big whoop.
And the phrase.. "Have you been naughty today?" what were they thinking they were selling- hashish? That phrase belongs to any substance that helps you loosen up and get laid back and all those other quasi-hippisms. Caffeine? no way, dude. No wonder they went out of business.. cuteness only goes so far especially when it's second-hand!
What's odd is that the place used to be called "The Purple Cow"... which actually seemed to work better. Maybe if the monkey were hyped up on caffeine it would have made more sense, but coffee is hardly naughty... unless you're talking about the price of the stuff!
Dave2 replied to comment from MIke on January 22, 2010 | Reply
It makes me sad that I abandoned my original idea of a sidekick for Lil' Dave... Rickey Mouse!
Dave2 replied to comment from sizzle on January 22, 2010 | Reply
My Try Evil shirt is a wardrobe staple, and causes comment EVERY SINGLE TIME I WEAR IT.I shudder to think what will happen when it finally falls apart. I may never recover.
Posted by Tracy Lynn on January 22, 2010 | Reply
Hey, "Try Evil" is a LIFE STATEMENT! I understand completely...
Dave2 replied to comment from Tracy Lynn on January 22, 2010 | Reply
But I think I'd have to sell hot cocoa... I don't like coffee. Blech! BAD MONKEY HOT COCOA would totally rock though!
Dave2 replied to comment from Poppy on January 24, 2010 | Reply
I think Poppy's onto something there! Bad Monkey cocoa? (Although you wold have to have him flingin' poo, as monkeys are wont to do, on the sign.)
But then pershaps only weirdoes like me would still buy Bad Monkey Cocoa.
Bastages. They deserve some awful crotch rot for their stupidity.
Kris replied to comment from Dave2 on January 25, 2010 | Reply
Seems these people ripping you off are growing. And some are even local now.
Poppy has the right idea. You should buy the coffee shop location. Even adding food items like the Bad Monkey doughnut with the phrase "Be Bad Today"
Posted by martymankins on January 24, 2010 | Reply
Or TRY EVIL TODAY! Sweet!
Except I don't like coffee. :-(
Dave2 replied to comment from martymankins on January 24, 2010 | Reply
I love comments! However, all comments are moderated, and won't appear until approved. Are you an abusive troll with nothing to contribute? Don't bother. Selling something? Don't bother. Spam linking? Don't bother.
PLEASE NOTE: My comment-spam protection requires JavaScript... if you have it turned off or are using a mobile device without JavaScript, commenting won't work. Sorry.
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