This Etsy Entrepreneur Claims Target Stole Her Trendy Tank Top Design Stay-at-home mompreneur Melissa Lay was shocked to discover that Target is selling a T-shirt nearly identical to the one she handprints out of her Oregon garage.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Last May, Melissa Lay realized her dream as a small business owner, when she founded her own clothing company -- a one-of-a-kind T-shirt maker called SandiLake -- so that she could work and be at home with her two small children.

Selling matching tees for children and adults on Etsy and her own website, each of the shirts is hand-printed in Lay's garage.

But the Oregon resident was in for a shock when a friend texted her a photo of a Target tank top that was nearly identical to one of her top-selling designs: a loose, black shirt with the word "#Merica" embedded within a rough sketch of the American flag.

Related: What Brands Can Learn From Lilly Pulitzer and Target's Sold-Out Collaboration

"[I was] blown away," Lay told local television station KATU, "because as a small business owner [and] a mom, I work so hard on every shirt I sell." The differences between the two shirts are negligible -- except that the Target shirt, at $12.99, is nearly half the price of Lay's $25 tank.

Lay subsequently phoned Target, whereupon she was told to file a formal complaint. Regarding legal action, Lay -- who does not have a copyright for the design -- said, "I would have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to fix this, and then I still might lose. So I don't know what I'll do."

A Target spokesperson said that the company is looking into the matter. "Target has a deep appreciation for great design and it has always been our policy to respect the intellectual property rights of others," the company told Entrepreneur. "We are aware of this issue and are in the process of reaching out to the designer."

Related: Target to Pay $10 Million to Settle Data Breach Lawsuit

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

10 Apps and Tools to Make Your Small Business Better and More Efficient

When you don't have the resources to build custom solutions, you can rely on these affordable (or free) fixes.

Business News

Fans of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Are In for a Big Surprise

Costco CEO Ron Vachris announced a change that's coming soon to the company's food courts.

Leadership

How a Mindfulness Practice Can Help You Beat Tech Overwhelm

This article explores how mindfulness can transform your tech choices, ensuring technology serves your business goals without adding unnecessary complexity.