We frequently read stories about designers copying other designers, but what about when major retailers copy independent Etsy designers?

That's what Stevie Koerner says happened to her. She wrote on her Tumblr page that Urban Outfitters has been selling necklaces that look remarkably similar to the ones she designs, and even have the same name.

Click through to see Urban Outfitters' necklaces compared with Stevie's necklaces, and decide for yourself.

Here is the Urban Outfitters web page:

And here is Koerner's site:

Wow.

Stevie writes:

The World/United States of Love line that I created is one of the reasons that I was able to quit my full-time job.  They even stole the item name as well as some of my copy.

I’m very disappointed in Urban Outfitters. I know they have stolen designs from plenty of other artists. I understand that they are a business, but it’s not cool to completely rip off an independent designer’s work.

The necklaces are no longer available on Urban Outfitters' website (perhaps in the wake of the story appearing on New York Magazine's website and Huffington Post, among others).

Urban Outfitters is owned by the same company that owns Free People and Anthropologie.

I personally find this story very disturbing.

What about you?

Images via Etsy and i make shiny things