It came to our attention yesterday that one of our vendors, Cody Foster, may have "knocked-off" the designs of small, independent artists. Cody Foster has been a valued business partner for years and we wanted to speak to them before making a decision about their place in our store. We contacted the company today, but were unable to get any information related to these accusations.
In light of their reticence to respond, and the clear examples of copy-cat items that have popped up online, we have submitted a request to cancel our Holiday purchase order from Cody Foster. We don't yet know if this request will be honored. In the meantime, we have removed all of our existing Cody Foster inventory from our website. We are disappointed that Cody Foster has not issued a statement, apology or explanation in response to the numerous blog posts and stories that have been written about them in the last 48 hours.
We feel lousy about the whole situation. We need to recoup our investment in inventory, but don't want to do that on the backs of hard working, talented artists whose work has been stolen. We started this company in deference to my Grandparents who were extremely talented artists in their day. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to work with a company who steals designs from artisans. It's just not right. We hope that Cody Foster acknowledges their transgressions, apologizes and pays the artists a royalty for any past shipments. If they do, we will consider restoring their products to our site and resume our business relationship with them. For now, though, you won't find their products on Orange and Pear.
Jennifer Hassell
Owner
www.orangeandpear.com
KUDOS! People like you, respectful of intellectual property, is what we need! You have won a customer here!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. So good to read this. Thank you for respecting the small independent artists. Someone has to put a stop to companies like Cody Foster and Co., well done!
ReplyDeleteShopping on your site now - had never heard of you before this. Will spread the word.
ReplyDeletethank you for doing the right thing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for proving there is still integrity in the world of business.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of your company, but , in light of your ethical behavior, I will be looking at what you have. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could arrange with the artists that CF has stolen from to give them a portion of your profits? That way you could recoup and sell off your current inventory while still giving those artists their due. Of course, you'd have to know if and who those items were copied from. I commend you for being proactive about this issue. It seems that CF's business plan is just to steal and then settle out of court if they're caught.
ReplyDeleteYour commitment to maintaining businesses integrity will reap you rewards for years to come!
ReplyDeleteYES! What a brilliant and thoughtful response to a difficult situation. Kudos to you, Jennifer. Thank you for raising the bar. You don't know me from Adam ... but I'm proud of you. I'll be shopping soon.
ReplyDeleteFirst I comment you for your support of the artists. Second I comment you for giving the company Cody Foster a chance to respond. Christmas is coming and I will be visiting your web site.
ReplyDeleteshould becommend...sorry
DeleteGood for you!!! way to stick up for the little guy :)
ReplyDeletethank you, as an artist who has been copied repeatedly, I applaud your stance on this issue. Bravo! I'll be shopping with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think you have been brave to stand up to this and support artists.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your actions against Cody Foster & Co! I will bookmark your site and
ReplyDeletelook forward to being a future customer.