How to protect your business from copycats and what to do if you get ripped off

Wooden children’s toys, splatter paint covered T-shirts and designer chairs don’t appear to have much in common.

But these products have all been created by small businesses that claim a larger business has ripped off their design.

Over the past week, Kmart has been accused of copying Melbourne small business Tiger Tribe’s wooden puppy toy; Target has been under fire for allegedly ripping off a children’s T-shirt design by KaPow Kids,  children’s leggings by Peaches and Keen and another children’s T-shirt by Mini & Maximus; and Luxmy Furniture has claimed various big businesses have stolen its designs.