I don't know if it's just me and I'm overly-sensitive this week, but I see a few photos appearing in the Gallery which are VERY obviously taken from previously-seen designs....and they don't even bother giving a little "shout out" to the original or the source of their "ideas".

Let's be a bit more careful with that?

(Before anyone thinks I am accusing them personally, I truly am not. It's a complete generalization.)

I agree.........afterall......imitation is a form of flattery.......but idea stealing is NOT

Thanks Helen for the reminder! That bothered me too!

Oh wow - I hope I wasn't one of them!! I will definitely try to pay attention. I know I did a cake recently and posted it and then later saw someone who had previously posted a similar design. It can happen. But if I try do one like someone else, I'll definitely give them props!!

I got credited today and it made me If you forgot to credit your inspiration, add it today Thanks for the reminder Antonia.

Hopefully it wasn't me! Just in case it was - my candy heart wasn't inspired by anything I saw on the site. I have about 50 books at home plus magazines to look at for inspiration too! The inspiration for that one cake from the cover of a book minus the lid. The other cake I posted I drempt up on my own. I'm not going to look over my shoulder and scan the gallery every time I make something to make sure no one here used the same book or magazine for inspiration that I used.

Debbie

I don't think Antonia is pointing fingers at anyone. If you used a book or mag as your inspiration, you could note that in the description and then anyone wanting to emulate your cake will know where to look. If it's an original design, there would be no need to look over your shoulder. I actually think most of the cakes in the gallery are original designs...very creative.

OK--well, Elmo this week was inspired by the pic on the pan and by my Elmo from last June. Just tried to make this one a bit more "girly" with the ruffles and the swags since it was for a girl.

Can I say, though, that I used Americolor Super Red for Elmo this time and it was the BOMB!!! Of course, I didn't have the orange, so I couldn't get the red-orange hue he is supposed to be but it was GREAT using a color that actually turned red without an hour of mixing. lol!

Lisa

Most of my cakes are inspired by other cakes I've seen all over the internet, or a compilation of others ideas...and those cakes are probably copies of others too. So unless it's my design I'll just say that "not my design"...I can't keep track of all the cakes everywhere.

Antonio, Before I make my comment on this subject I wanted to address you ok I'm just commenting to this subject ok. Not attacking you in any way ok~ YOU ARE SOOOOO TALENTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So please don't think I'm wanting to fight with you ok. I only feel the opposite way that you feel ok~

... How do people know the person who made the cake didn't give credit to the person who did the cake in the 1st place??? Why do people think that person should give a public thank you? If I did a castle cake... do I have to give credit to every person who has made a castle cake? I think not. You guys are getting way too serious about this. Sorry Antonia. Not trying to be ugly to you ok. Most people (including myself) are making cakes for family, friends or just for practice. We are not in business & we are not stealing ideas (not that I feel anyone is thinking that people are stealing ideas). When I do a cake after I've seen another cake I did it because I really liked the cake. Not because I want to make my cake better or compete with that person. There are so many cakes on CC too, it would be a long shot to say, "Oh, that person made this cake because I made my cake yesterday or last week or the week before". Please try to lighten up about the cakes. They are all beautiful!! All have taken time & creativity on the decorator's part~ It's not like they blinked their eyes & poof a cake was on the table decorated simular to yours. It took time to do. In my case it took blood, sweat & tears!!

I give every person who decorates cakes 10 stars for getting in the kitchen & doing it!! Then dowdloading them to a cake site! Wow!! Talents are amazing on CC!!!!!!

Now don't all ya'll start attacking me! Like Squirrelly says, "Let's play nice"

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

I think some might be missing what is at the heart of Antonia's message. Correct me if I'm wrong Antonia but this is the way I read it:

If you seek out a cake idea, find it in another's cake and use it, it'd be a nice gesture to credit your inspiration. You don't have to but it's a nice way to thank the person who helped you.

Just a few weeks ago a similar thread was working that turned out to be a quadrillion pages long! Everyone has a different opinion about what they consider 'inspiration' or flat out stealing. The way I see it, if a person posts a pic on this or any site it's because he or she wants people to see it. If I posted a pic and later saw that another pic was posted that looked similar to mine, I would not get my feelings hurt if I wasn't mentioned as an inspiration. How would I know that MY cake inspired someone else's? Even if I came up with a design that I thought was my own, I couldn't be 100% sure that it didn't come from something I might have seen somwhere else over the years! This may come across to some as rude or whatever, but, if someone is worried about their ideas being taken (or borrowed, or improved upon, whatever), then maybe he or she shouldn't post pics on the web. As we can already see, several folks have responded worried that they offended someone somewhere. Sorry about the rant! Just my humble opinion. I cant wait to see what comes next!

Thanks for everyone's input. This thread is being locked.