Sensitive client issue....

Did any of you guys have a client ask you to specifically plagiarize a site? Here's what happened to me:
I have this client - he's a "regular" - I do a lot of work for him but this never happened before.
So he shows me this site right - he says "do something like that."
I figure hey the guy likes that site - no prob - so I try to use the same color scheme and general "feel" of the site without copying...
I send him a layout and he tells me - "No - This doesn't look at all like the site I showed you... Do it again!" -
I figure what the heck - so I do another layout - nicer I believe than the site he showed me by at least 3 orders of magnitude...
I send him the new layout and he says: "What the hell - this is looking even less like that one!"
So I start having my doubts - I say - boy could I be that stupid - he never did that to me before - so I get a little angry and I send him a layout that is an absolute replica of the site he showed me only with his info...
- what does he say to me: "Excellent - I knew you could do it!"
I never intended to go ahead with the pirated layout - I just made it out of resentment...
So what the hell am I going to do now?
again - he never did that before and I have been working with him for 2 years now... what do I do? - I can't tell him to f#ck off - he's one of my biggest clients. Do I go ahead with the pirated site? I have always felt good about myself because even though my sites have sometimes failed to receive credit - they were always original... I never EVER stole anything from anyone...And now this sh|t...

I tried telling him that it's not nice to steal other people's work but he said he didn't care - I drew it - I didn't take a screenshot of the other and the info is original and that I should stop being such a pu$$y...

What the f#ck do I do? Huh? Can anyone tell me?

as a designer that is YOUR liability, not his. i'd create a document stating that he take all responsibility for any potential liability or plagarism charges, etc., and get him to sign it. if he does then go for it, if not i wouldn't risk it personally. then again, all that's going to happen is he's going to get bombarded with e-mail as soon as someone sees the site and recognizes it anyway...

chris

Lose a client...you can get more.

Lose your integrity...that's a much tougher issue.

You'll have to inventory your own sense of ethics on this one.

Personally, I'd do everything in my power to make this client understand that's it's just plain wrong. Turn it around on him...ask him if he'd feel comfortable stealing ideas for whatever it is he produces or for services he provides.

I am afraid there is no easy answer to this. However the answer to him must be a firm 'no can-do'. It is your duty to point out to him that there are serious copyright laws that have to be obeyed and that it is impossible to do a replica site.

There is no easy way out of this as I say, you don't need to go into the wherefores of the process, but it is a fairly rational principle that stealing is not only wrong but so fallible. If his product was stolen I am sure that he would be the first to seek recourse, he must understand that the principle is true to him too.

In conclusion, I say explain to him the ramifications of using a ripped design or concept (more wooly to define;)). Like it or not it is part of the client process - your job is not to agree with the every whim of your client, it is to provide the best content solution that you can - sometimes this may include the nasty task of disabusing your client of staid notionns.

yeah - I know what you guys say makes a lot of sense - and I am aware of all those things.
Utopian man - "loose a client" - it is easier said than done... I have a longstanding relation with this guy and he has always paid on time - a lot of stuff I have going on is based on the monthly checks coming from him. I do this webdesig thing for a living. I have a home to support, bils to pay... frankly I don't know if I can afford to lose him. There are more things to consider than just my sense of ethics... I have a strong rejection towards stealing someone's design ... However my kid and wife will not feed on my sense of ethics....
But all being said and done I too believe I will rather lose him than go ahead with this sh|t... I know I would hate it if someone stole my designs.... I'll try to convince him...
Thanks for your advices guys - you've been mighty supportive - I appreciate it - I feel kinda ****ty right now and this really helped

I tried telling him that it's not nice to steal other people's work but he said he didn't care

It's actually illegal to steal other people's work. And I'm sure you know that already. And even if you do as Fig mentioned he'll still say well "he" (meaning you) designed it if anybody comes down on him. The only thing you can do is tell him you can't duplicate somebody elses work.

Yeah it sucks but the few bucks you would make will be much less than court costs and a settlement if the "real" site finds out and sues him/you...

morality and legality aside... take your name off of the project and leave it out of your portfolio. let him know you are taking your name off of the site.

Hmm, such an issue that no matter how many great answers you get, is still near impoosible to deal with, just because of the sensitivety. Lots of great answers here and Ill probably just reitterate what others have said.

1. I think the first thing, you need to go back and clearly explain the consequences and your feelings towards this project. Let this client know how strongly you feel and how wrong it really is.

2. If this does not work and you still refuse to do the project, you can still keep this client for later. Simply state to him that you value his business and that he is an extremley valuable client for you...But, at this time you wont be able to do the work. Tactfully done, and if he really is worth it, you should be able to avoid this project and still have him come back to you for later projects. Sometimes refering a client to someone else isnt always so bad. Especially if you refer him to someone not as skilled as you ;).

3. Then you can do as Charm said. Do the work but take your name off all of it and keep it out of the portfolio. Also, a waiver of responsibility is a terrific idea.

These are some thoughts to chew on. Good luck. I know how hard it is to deal with clients. We have a rough job when it comes to this.

Cheers

You need to have a clear statement of what you will and will not do. I make sure every client I get signs a contract with me that says he will not ask for things I have said I wont do. Most of it is moral and ethical stuff, but it really helps when client and I are on the same page as far as what I'll do for them.

I make sure every client I get signs a contract with me that says he will not ask for things I have said I wont do.

lol that's a great piece of hindsight - If only I knew before...

anyway - Pank - I do know it is illegal and I told him so...

I also told him I won't do it - I guess he was as frightened of a lwasuit as I was scared of losing him as a client... after I filled his head with prospects of lawsuits and mail floods he said he was just joking. HA!
I will make him a new design for free - I made sure he understands this is a one-time deal... no more free work from now on.
Thanks for all the good advices guys - you're great!