This is probably the mock-up that almost landed you the gig in the first place, but obviously that isn't going to happen now.
And you've undoubtedly convinced a few additional CEO's that absolute secrecy is the best way to operate. Let people participate in works-in-progress and someone is sure to get their knickers in a twist. This is also why more companies don't open source their tools: they expose themselves to patent infringement suits when anyone can read the code.
The proper recourse would be to email someone, or wait to see if your designs showed up in the final product. I mean, you aren't going to forget to check the theme on the latest version of Firefox.
Why do people try to convince designers that they should accept being ripped off in hopes that some of the people ripping them off will throw them a bone?
Why do people try to convince designers that they should accept being ripped off in hopes that some of the people ripping them off will throw them a bone?
You are talking about an internal mockup, not a released product. There is no justification to say that anyone was "ripped off", nor would Mozilla be "throwing them a bone" if they were to re-approach later after re-allocating more funding. My comment that this will not happen now is not to suggest that MetaLab should have been secretly hoping for a deal to happen anyway. However, their untempered response to the situation portray's them as unprofessional. I would not reconsider working with a firm who acted this way.
"You are talking about an internal mockup, not a released product."
I am talking about design work they used for promotional videos and screenshots. It matters in absolutely no way that upon this becoming public, Mozilla announced that they do not intend to use the design for production software.
"I would not reconsider working with a firm who acted this way."
I would not want a client who's hesitant to hire me on the grounds that they might not get away with ripping me off.
And you've undoubtedly convinced a few additional CEO's that absolute secrecy is the best way to operate. Let people participate in works-in-progress and someone is sure to get their knickers in a twist. This is also why more companies don't open source their tools: they expose themselves to patent infringement suits when anyone can read the code.
The proper recourse would be to email someone, or wait to see if your designs showed up in the final product. I mean, you aren't going to forget to check the theme on the latest version of Firefox.