There’s much buzz around the Des Moines Twitter community about the brand hijacking of our beloved SmartyPig. SmartyPig is a web startup based in Des Moines, IA that helps users build a savings account for various goals. This article isn’t about what SmartyPig is, it’s about what TrustyPig isn’t.

This is another classic instance of design knockoff. Chinese mp3 players knocked off the iPod. Apple knocked off Xerox. Microsoft knocked off Apple (I joke). For what reason, you ask? Because the other guy did it better and it’s easier to copy than to innovate.

In no way do I condone what TrustyPig has done to the SmartyPig name and likeness. I want to see SmartyPig win over customers, because they offer a fantastic service. I could do without having someone else try to ride its coattails to the top. The leaders of SmartyPig are aware of the ripoff and are warning their customers to take notice also:

B aware of trustypig.com. We are in NO Way affiliated with this Romanian ad outfit. Not sure what they are up to. But they have good taste.

More Ripoff Coverage

• Andy Brudtkuhl – TrustyPig steals web design from SmartyPig
  
• Troy Rutter – Romanian Company Rips Off Smartypig.com Design

Follow It!

• Follow it on twitter with the #hijacktrustypig hashtag
• See what Des Moines locals are saying about it here

Contribute

• Digg Andy’s article
• Discuss it on FriendFeed
• Write your own article about the ripoff using these helpful tips

Photo from SmartyPig.com