As a contest holder, the onus is on you to take reasonable steps to check that the winning design in your contest is original and won’t land you in hot water. We recommend that you take the following steps in the latter stages of your contest:
- Search for similar designs: To confirm the originality of your top designs, it’s a good idea to use image search sites such as TinEye or PicScout.
- Ask your designers if their work is original: It sounds simple, but designers may simply be unaware they are using elements which may require you to pay a license fee. Ask them whether they’re using any photos, clipart, or fonts that carry licenses. If they answer yes, ensure they read our FAQs: Am I allowed to use clipart or stock images? and What fonts can I use in a design?
We take copyright infringement very seriously here at 99designs. If you discover that someone has stolen a design, let us know and we’ll look into it ASAP.