It’s a fact of the Internet that things can be copied far and wide with very little control. In some respects, that’s fantastic. You can get information about almost anything, any time. Some it is even accurate. But when it comes to betting your business on something you find “in the cloud,” it’s a good idea to be cautious.

Designer Steve Douglas recently posted a fine object lesson for anyone looking to get a logo done “on the cheap.” I highly recommend giving this a careful read.

Well-known logo designers have found many examples of their work flagrantly copied and offered for sale online, and as Steve’s post shows, even registered trademarks aren’t immune. Needless to say, it would be a disaster to buy one and run the risk of wasting a great deal of signage and stationery expense and having to do it all again, not to mention the possible legal implications.