Enamel Pin Piracy, Intellectual Property and Copyright Infringements

Enamel pin collecting has taken off in the last few years. What started as a small, niche hobby has become a full-blown community filled with creativity and personality. If you’ve been on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen people showing off their pin boards or rocking their favorite pins on jackets and bags. It’s more than just collecting shiny trinkets—it’s about finding pieces that speak to who you are and what you love.

One of the coolest things about this hobby is the explosion of handmade and designer enamel pins. These aren’t just factory-made accessories; they’re mini pieces of art. Independent artists and small businesses have brought their A-game, creating pins that reflect unique styles, niche interests, and even personal stories. Owning a pin from a designer you love feels like having a little piece of their world—and that connection makes collecting so fun.

However, as the hobby has grown, so has the significant issue of pin piracy. It’s not just a problem for the artists who work so hard to create something original, but also for collectors who might unknowingly buy a fake. Pin piracy undermines everything that makes the pin community unique—creativity, trust, and the joy of owning something authentic. It’s an issue that’s hard to ignore and one that we all need to address through awareness and open discussion.

What is Pin Piracy?

Pin piracy is when someone steals a design from an artist and makes cheap knockoff versions to sell, often at lower prices and smaller sizes. It’s a massive problem in the pin community and can happen to anyone, from big companies like Disney to small independent creators like myself, Mr. Pins.

One of many piracy issues I've dealt with was with a collaboration I did with @jaw_droppa for our Goku x Gastly Pin. You won't find any picture that dates back further than August 15th, 2018 because this is the original design and first time it was published online. Below, you can juxtapose the differences between my high-quality pin and the knockoffs.

 The Impact of Knockoff Pins

Knockoff pins are a serious drag, I've been part of the pin community since 2017, and I've seen how they throw things off. When artists create a pin, it's not just about making a quick buck, considering all the effort that goes into planning and executing the design to bring it to life. They pay for materials, shipping, and finishing touches and invest tons of time to craft something unique. But then these cheap copies pop up, ripping off their designs with zero respect for quality. The artist loses income that could've made way for new projects or just helped with everyday expenses.

As collectors, we feel the sting, too! You might buy a pin online, thinking you got a sweet deal, only to open the package and realize it's a shoddy imitation. Suddenly, you've got dull or missing colors, weak clasps, and edges that look like they've seen better days. On top of that, every time someone buys a knockoff, it encourages more counterfeiters to jump on the train, flooding the community with more junk. Let's keep it real by backing legit creators and making sure our pin community stays fun, genuine, and worth being part of.

 

Legality and Ethics

Copyright issues in the enamel pin world can take many forms, but they usually boil down to someone cashing in on someone else's hard work. Sometimes, big brands and retailers rip off unique designs from independent artists. They use the artwork, sell many pins, and don't give credit or payment where it's due.

Then, there are the independent makers who wander into gray areas. They'll make pins featuring popular characters from shows like "Dragon Ball Z" or Pokémon without going through the proper licensing channels. Sure, they're celebrating something they love, but they still need to catch up on the legal steps needed to do it right.

Another issue comes from overseas factories, often in China, that copy indie creators' pins and flood sites like Alibaba with cheap knockoffs(the pin piracy issue I referenced earlier). This undercuts the original artists, both in price and quality, and confuses customers who might need to realize they're buying fakes.

On top of that, there are smaller creators who "borrow" ideas from others in the community—maybe not outright copying, but changing a few details and calling it their own. Even slight tweaks can feel like a betrayal in a scene that's supposed to value creativity and trust.

These situations tie back into the bigger conversation about intellectual property and ethics. We have copyright laws meant to protect artists, but it's really about the community choosing to do the right thing. The enamel pin scene stays vibrant when people respect each other's art, support fair compensation, and push back against shady deals. Ultimately, it's up to everyone—makers, buyers, and fans—to help keep the community healthy and thriving.

Copyright, Trademarks, and Licensing 

Copyrights primarily safeguard original creative works, such as the unique artwork or illustrations on your pins. If you come up with a distinctive character, pattern, or image in the pin community, copyright law protects that design from being reproduced without your permission. It's all about the specific expression of your idea, not just the idea itself.

Trademarks protect brand elements like names, logos, slogans, or even distinctive color schemes that identify a business or product line. For example, if you sell pins under a recognizable brand name or logo, you might trademark these elements so no one else can use them in a way that confuses your customers. It's more about guarding your brand's identity and reputation than the creative art on the pin.

Licensing comes into play when you want to legally use someone else's copyrighted or trademarked material or allow someone else to use your own. For instance, if you feature a popular character from a TV show, you'd need to get a license from the rights holder. Licensing is the official permission slip that lets you use intellectual property you don't own, usually in exchange for a fee or royalty.

 

In conclusion, the enamel pin community thrives when we all respect the value of fresh ideas and honest work. If artists, collectors, and makers look out for one another, crediting designs where they're due, paying fair prices, and refusing to support knockoffs—we create a space where creativity can truly shine. When we talk openly, and hold ourselves accountable, we're not just protecting individual artists—we're building a future where every pin can tell its own story, and every idea has the chance to stand out.