Intellectual property rights stop people from copying what you create, right? So when you forge a career as a glamorous television star, what choice do you have but to protect that image?

This is what Kim Kardashian has done.

On Thursday last week, Marketing Week published the story that Kim Kardashian is suing Gap because they have encroached upon her intellectual property rights. Obviously, a model that bares a similarity in looks to Kim is regarded as a threat to Kim’s personal reputation, image and style. Her representative went as far as to say; “Her identity and persona are valuable. When her intellectual property rights are violated, she intends to enforce them.”

When you read further, you find that Gap had also been ‘tweeting’ that the model, Melissa Molinaro, has a significant resemblance to Kim – now is that where the line was crossed?

It’s difficult to judge, ‘steal with pride’ is a term you hear used loosely when somebody is inspired to emulate the good job another has done. However, if my friend bought the same dress as me and dyed their hair the same colour as mine, I wouldn’t automatically go as far as to say they had violated my intellectual property rights (although I might do now considering Kim could be rewarded £12m in damages).

In 2011, I think we all need to accept that nothing ‘entirely new’ will be created again, the human race has literally been there, done it and bought the t-shirt several thousand times. What we do need to do is respect people’s ‘rights’ but also, their originality. Kim is a beautiful lady, and I do believe Gap had no bad intentions, but if she has made a career from that beauty the lines to cross are more difficult to judge.

Here at IWP we’re passionate about creating original, well thought out concepts for our branding clients – for our strategic clients we prefer to undergo reviews to suit their needs rather than a ‘one size fits all’ remedy. It’s simple, in this day and age we may not ever be ‘unique’ but we certainly can try to be original, creative and fresh (avoiding having to ‘steal without pride’).

Lets get it straight from the start. Ostriches – do not bury their heads in the sand. Cue flicking to Google… You back now?…See, told you.

For those who believed me – here we go – you deserve the search.

“If threatened while sitting on the nest, which is simply a cavity scooped in the earth, the hen presses her long neck flat along the ground, blending with the background. Ostriches, contrary to popular belief, do not bury their heads in the sand.” Yahoo via Canadian Museum of Nature

This myth likely began with Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79), who wrote that Ostriches “imagine, when they have thrust their head and neck into a bush, that the whole of their body is concealed.”

So, what on earth am I meant to use as analogy now? Read on, I’m sure something will come to me…

We at Insight with Passion believe in putting something back. We frequently help charities, community groups and start ups alike with advisory support and work – whenever we can.

Currently we are working with the Manchester Furniture Show to offer free business ‘surgeries’ for the retailers, manufacturers and distributors who work within the industry.

I would like to commend those individuals and businesses who booked to see us to make a difference. Asking for help is not a weakness – for me, in many circumstances its a strength. Our ‘patients’ today all gained extra help, support and insight to their latest project, idea or problems. For free. For a whole hour.

Our appointment slots SOLD OUT – so clearly there is a lot of demand for help and advice. Those who booked early got their space and our support and we will be helping some of these businesses in the future.

However, as I looked around the exhibition halls, I saw some businesses who could benefit from some help. Indeed when I look up and down our high streets, I see businesses that are missing opportunities by the minute – but don’t seem to be doing anything about it.

Just sticking their head in the sand. Like a…like…a branch of Woolworths?