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Snapchat Accused of Copying Filter Designs

In response, the company says it's implementing new internal policies for filter creation.

 & David Murphy Freelancer

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Snapchat filters are pretty fun, right? I often check into Snapchat on a daily basis—even if I don't send anything interesting—to see what new, random mix of fun filters I can slap over my face. From the unicorn look that has you barfing rainbows to the crazier cross-promotional stuff Snapchat has done with Taco Bell, upcoming movies, and more, Snapchat filters can be a fun and fairly accurate way to make your face do all sorts of crazy things.

Unfortunately, Snapchat is now facing accusations that its filter creators copied other artists' work.

Snapchat FilterThe Ringer reports that Snapchat unfairly copied work from people like makeup artist Argenis Pinal, who reposted his Joker look on Instagram a week prior to Snapchat featuring a similar version as a face filter.

Snapchat responded by saying "the creative process sometimes involves inspiration, but it should never result in copying. We have already implemented additional layers of review for all designs. Copying other artists isn't something we will tolerate, and we're taking appropriate action internally with those involved."

Hopefully that will involve better communication with artists who feel they have been wronged. As makeup artist Mykie found out, it's hard to get Snapchat's attention—and for Snapchat to come down on your side—when you accuse the company of stealing your work.

"Most recently their support team has not responded to my tweets wanting answers on this recurring issue. I also filed a report through the app with my particular case when the filter first appeared and their response was that they 'Don't believe that the filter infringes any copyright.' That would ultimately be up to a judge to decide if the work had been altered enough to count as a new work," she told The Ringer.

Unfortunately, the legal protections afforded to makeup creations are trickier to figure out. There's less outright protection than if you simply drew an illustration and someone blatantly stole it and used it as part of a giant, national marketing campaign. In Snapchat's case, its filters are temporary and free—we somehow suspect the company doesn't believe many, if any, makeup artists will bother spending money on a legal case over something that isn't generating any revenue anyway.

About Our Expert

David Murphy

David Murphy

Freelancer

David Murphy got his first real taste of technology journalism when he arrived at PC Magazine as an intern in 2005. A three-month gig turned to six months, six months turned to occasional freelance assignments, and he later rejoined his tech-loving, mostly New York-based friends as one of PCMag.com's news contributors. For more tech tidbits from David Murphy, follow him on Facebook or Twitter (@thedavidmurphy).

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