Eggshell Green

Have I created a meme?

Originally called “Rainbow Shuffle”, my original shirt design created in 2010  has been posted around the Interwebs with names like Unicorn Itch, Unicorn Scoot, Unicorn Butt Scoot, Unicorn Shute Scootin’ and so on – but the Rainbow Shuffle by any other name is still the Rainbow Shuffle.

For some reason (possibly since someone posted it on reddit) there’s been an explosion of reblogging/reposting of my image in the last few weeks.

There’s been a dig at it on 9gag where they think the “Unicorn butt scoot is too mainstream“, and someone has even made an animated version of the Rainbow Shuffle on YouTube. This is apart from probably hundreds of reposts, because you know what the Internet is like…

It’s not so bad as at least I know people love it and feel it’s worth sharing. And I’ve had a few Rainbow Shuffle shirt sales, thanks to the person who posted a link to the source on the reddit post.

I feel more violated than the carpet

But it’s not so good when people don’t credit the source though – and even worse, when people are trying to make money off all your hard work by putting the image on shirts and such and claiming it as their own! Breach of copyright anyone? GRRR! I’ve already had to deal with a few copycats (most were straight copies of my image, and someone attempted to change it a little in an effort to pass it off as an original idea), but I’ve discovered more today, and there will be more in future no doubt.

Is that the fate of a meme (if this is in fact one)? Boo.

Anyway, if you want a shirt for yourself, just visit my Eggshell Green Shop on Cafepress.

Leave a comment

5 Comments to Have I created a meme?

Holly
March 11, 2012

Heh. I’d be ticked off too, if something I designed became a meme and other people were profiting from it without my permission. :/

Reply

Jody Brettkelly
April 7, 2012

Hi there, I keep seeing that word Meme and wondering what it was. That is really annoying that you have created something and its being used in all sorts of way without accrediting…

Reply

Chickie Little
May 1st, 2012 at 9:54 pm

Wikipedia does a much better job than I could in explaining it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

Reply

Ben
April 28, 2012

YAY I FINALLY FOUND THE SHIRT. Saw the image on imgur yesterday and have been frantically looking for a place to buy the shirt.

Reply

Chickie Little
May 1st, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Thanks for your support! I hope you like it. Tell your friends :D

Reply