For some reason, when I read this thread, I immediately thought of singing artists that make re-makes of songs. Then, I tried to remember the song that the Beatles originally did, then Pat Benatar did a version and then Motley Crew (I know I spelled the Band name wrong) did a version. I can't think of the name of the song. Can somebody help me?
If anyone wants to copy 'Auntie Griselda" from my avatar, please send me a picture!
FYI: You can report a copywritten recipe by clicking the button in the bottom right, marked "Report as a bad post". The rules state we are NOT supposed to post those recipes. They get removed from time to time... There is no problem sending them as a PM...
Several years ago I took my girl scouts to a textile museum where several of Princess Dianna's gowns were on display. There were absolutely no cameras or even notebooks or sketch pads allowed. There was a post card of the exhibition, and you could see no more than 1/4 of each dress on the post card. This was definitely so nobody could copy any of the dresses EXACTLY. I just thought that was interesting footnote to this subject.
I think tiptop summed it up perfectly!! We have figured out in this thread that there are some unwritten rules here. Hopefully, some people see them and think twice. It IS very flattering when someone uses an aspect of a design! Just show some respect when doing so!
OK, I haven't taken the time to read the whole thread, will backtrack later, so sorry if I am repeating something here. 
Stealing the actual photo is wrong. Using an idea you saw from someone's picture I think is okay. If it makes you feel better, pm the person and ask if they mind that you copy it. Then you know if they will be offended or not. If you post a pic of it later, definately give credit to them for the inspiration. That's a great way to thank them for sharing it with you. That's just my opinion.
Isn't the reason we have a photo gallery so we can SHARE our work and ideas with others here? I search the galleries all the time for ideas and i am truly humbled by the incredible work that my fellow cc'rs can do. To many of you, I wish I had half your talent. But I don't. So I will just browse your pics and borrow some ideas instead! 
And feel free to borrow some from me if you like! I don't mind a bit!
Sorry if that offends anyone (it's not meant to), but IMHO, if you don't want your cake ideas to be used by someone else, they shouldn't be posted. It is the only guaranteed way to keep your ideas yours. It's just like sex--abstinence (from sharing your pictures) is the only guarantee you won't have a little clone popping up out there. 
When I was really young...like 8 years old or so....I was refusing to let someone see a picture I had drawn...someone shared some wisdom with me...
Knowledge means nothing until you pass it on.
Art isn't worth anything until you allow others to view it. He also said that it's worth more after you're dead too, but I try not to think of that.
I could understand if it were therapy and that big ol' ugly crocheted blanket was made just to keep my sanity wasn't brought out to share with the world, but if I made it as an artistic expression...by all means, I would share it.
There are so many cakes in my favorites that I would love to try some element of on a cake of my own.
There's a lot of things I never would've thought of trying had it not been for the generosity of others in sharing their work and knowledge.
I don't pm the contributor for permission. I pm them if there is an element in their cake I can't figure out and would like more information.
I assumed(I know. I know) that this site was for sharing.
If we're sharing crayons, it is understood that we can use whatever crayon we like equally, without further permission. Would it not also be with designs?
Please, copy my cakes!
I'm always immensely flattered when someone wants to copy one of my designs...or one of my takes on someone else's design!
I also really appreciate it if they give me a nod in their photo description when they post the cake pic...but if they don't, oh well! It's really not hurting me in any way.
Of course it always stings just a little bit when their cake turns out better than mine...
I think websites like this are really elevating the art of cake decorating as a whole. I know my creative juices get flowing after spending time looking at all of the amazing cakes here. I am a better decorator today because of CC.
If I use your cake as inspiration, please be flattered. And also know that I will always give credit where credit is due.
(Although once in the comments under one of my photos, someone said something to the effect of "your cake is exactly like mine." I looked at her photos, and sure enough our cakes were VERY similar. However, I had absolutely never seen her cake before--I was sure of it. Our cakes were both just variations of a design that a lot of people had done and somehow our color schemes matched)
I can't believe how many people have posted on this topic!! I agree with most...People should NOT NOT NOT still others photos and use as thier own. That is just rude and illegal. I do believe that you should credit someone for thier inspiration, help, or what have you. Even if you can't remember "Who" exactly you should still say something to that effect. Now I do not feel the same as some, and not to step on toes but to those who believe that "their" 
design is somehow off limits and even have disclaimers along this line, I don't know how they think someone will not! If you post a picture someone will see it, store it in the back of thier mind and later, when "designing" their own cake that pic they saw way back when will come creeping out. Even if they don't copy the entire cake, maybe it was the color scheme, or the way the border was done, or the medium used, the effect, the cake board. I don't believe anyone has ever had a completely original cake. unless they made their own tip, made up their own way of using it, came up with their own recipe, ect. The mind only creates so far. SOMEONE came up with it before.
The idea to MAKE the first cake is the only original idea. I may be pushing it but I don't think it was any of us!!
Disclaimer: I in no way meant to offend anyone who may read this post. I was not refering to anyone in particular, just stating my opinion.
I have noticed though for instance that when I made Cinderella's carriage for my daughter's birthday I thought I was being original. Then 3 days later I saw a carriage that was a million times better than mine posted and was in awe. It just goes to show that with me never seeing a carriage cake before and thinking I was so clever -- another person somewhere out there had the same idea and made one. It gets difficult to give credit to people if you do not even know another cake similar to yours exists.
Been there! I recently made a Transformers Optimus Prime cake and thought, with the movie being so new, no one would have something like it here. So I dreamed up this cake and did it in bc. Imagine my surprise when I go to post it and there's another Optimus Prime, 3D angel food pan like mine, only covered in fondant and BEAUTIFULLY painted. Identical cakes, one in bc, one in fondant. Neither of us saw the other's picture, or conferred on the details prior to making them. Should we go back into our posts and edit them to say there is a similar cake on xxx link that you can view? No! That is our individual work. We shouldn't have to cross reference it. And i certainly wasn't offended by seeing my cake in someone else's gallery. I was thinking that was pretty cool that we both had the same IDEA. Ever hear the expression "Great minds think alike"? And we are all pretty great here on cc, aren't we??
It's absolutely true elvisb! Great minds do think alike.
OS here...on the History channel or maybe it was the Military channel the other day, a man in Italy, a man in Germany and a man in the UK at the same time, and unknowing of the other man much less the other man's work, created the "first" turbine-type jet engine.
One man decided to patent his idea before continuing on(smooth move). Another's country decided to no longer back him financially.
The other had full backing of his country...Germany
Each one's idea was thought of at the same time. But each followed a different agenda to reach the end goal.
On the topic of thinking your idea is an original only to find out it isn't here's my real life experience from just 2 weeks ago.....
I have a dr's appt. and I learned previously that one of the receptionists like decorating too (she's even here on CC somewhere!) so I take my book down to the office for my appt. DH is holding it in the exam room when my long time family dr comes in. He asks "what's that" so I tell him and he wants to see....well aren't I just beaming! But it's short lived. His comment you ask??? "Boy I remember this stuff when I was a kid!" OMG talk about horrified!! He's in his 50's or so I'd say and I'm in my late 20's!! Every cake I've done to this point has been "my own". Thought up and created BY ME or so I thought!! Sure I've used bits and bobs from books and the internet that I've combined with my own ideas to make a final cake but never have I copied a total cake (mostly because I'm not that good). I have also asked CCer's for permission to attempt things I've liked about their cakes. Everyone has been wonderful about it and have even helped me when I've run into trouble with it.
This is truly a great place!!!
He asks "what's that" so I tell him and he wants to see....well aren't I just beaming! But it's short lived. His comment you ask??? "Boy I remember this stuff when I was a kid!" OMG talk about horrified!! He's in his 50's or so I'd say and I'm in my late 20's!! Every cake I've done to this point has been "my own". Thought up and created BY ME or so I thought!!
Well, I wouldn't take that to mean that your EXACT cakes are like what he remembers, but he's probably referring to decorated cakes in general remind him of when he was a kid. I took a look at your pictures... Um... most of these characters didn't even exist 10 years ago let alone 40 years ago. So, I wouldn't have taken it as "this is exactly like I had when I was 8", but instead, "Boy this reminds me of my childhood when my mom would buy/make me a cake of my favorite cartoon character.". Probably brought back fond memories for him! I think that's what's cool about doing cakes - they're memorable!
Melissa
I confess.....I'm a CC copycat! Several of my cakes where inspired by the wonderful creation of others. Probably b/c I'm new to this & lack confidence. I think as a gain experinence, my creative juices will flow a little more. I have never asked the original creator for permission to use his/her ideas, but I always write that I obtained the idea on CC. I would think that it would be flattering to have your work "copied". If you're offended, then maybe you shouldn't post photos at all. I would love for someone to copy one of my cakes one day!!
elvisb, I'm making an OP cake right now & don't worry it looks nothing like yours. Didn't even look in the gallery this time.
I am inspired by many from here but not nearly good enough to "copy" any design. Although, famous cake decorators make wonderful cakes and put them in books with written instructions for others to go by. Hmmm doesn't that mean they expect others to try to make that cake? I wonder how many books they would sell IF it stated in the book "Do not copy any of my designs?"
What about when you take the Wilton classes and there are cakes in the books for inspiration and ideas...can you only make those cakes while enrolled in classes?
I totally understand using pictures and not stating where they came from. That is an entirely different creature. I also agree that commenting on someone's inspiration is wonderful. Just my 2 cents.
I purchased The Confetti Cakes book a couple of months ago, Ms. Strauss gives detailed, clear instructions for everything in her book. Between her step by step instructions, and great photographs, I tend to believe she realizes some of us are going to "copy" her cakes and not just look at the pretty pictures.
I am inspired by many from here but not nearly good enough to "copy" any design. Although, famous cake decorators make wonderful cakes and put them in books with written instructions for others to go by. Hmmm doesn't that mean they expect others to try to make that cake? I wonder how many books they would sell IF it stated in the book "Do not copy any of my designs?"
What about when you take the Wilton classes and there are cakes in the books for inspiration and ideas...can you only make those cakes while enrolled in classes?
I totally understand using pictures and not stating where they came from. That is an entirely different creature. I also agree that commenting on someone's inspiration is wonderful. Just my 2 cents.
I purchased The Confetti Cakes book a couple of months ago, Ms. Strauss gives detailed, clear instructions for everything in her book. Between her step by step instructions, and great photographs, I tend to believe she realizes some of us are going to "copy" her cakes and not just look at the pretty pictures.
I think that's the purpose of those books. However, going back to an earlier point, it is copyright infringment to reproduce the book, not the cakes.
I was curious about some of you who talked about a cake that got copied .... no credit...all that... so I browsed a lot of the galleries as I read. One particular cake I noticed as a Debbie Brown cake. I curiously opened it up and guess what! No mention of Debbie Brown but she did thanks to a few decorators on CC! She thought she was taking their design but in reality who knows how many transfers it went though! A lot of people have done this cake now-- it is so adorable!
I know that somebody out there has this really cute care bear cake and they probably think that I stole theirs but again like others have "testified", I really did come up with mine before I had even searched on here! I scetched my design and then looked on line to see if I liked something else better! I was so worried when I put my cake up because I hate the thought that somebody would flame me or something for copying their cake when in fact I didn't!
I always try to say thanks to so & so. I also try to let them know that I posted my cake in case they wanna check it out! I have never asked for permission....I figured that they were giving me permission by posting it here for people to get ideas from! I will continue to do it this way.
I was curious about some of you who talked about a cake that got copied .... no credit...all that... so I browsed a lot of the galleries as I read. One particular cake I noticed as a Debbie Brown cake. I curiously opened it up and guess what! No mention of Debbie Brown but she did thanks to a few decorators on CC! She thought she was taking their design but in reality who knows how many transfers it went though! A lot of people have done this cake now-- it is so adorable!
I don't know if you were meaning me and my Hawiian Bridal Shower cake or not, but I did give credit to Debbie Brown. Down in the comments I stated that I followed her directions to make the hut! In my description of the cake I was thanking people who helped me directly!
No!! I am sorry! I was afraid that would happen! I didn't mean that someone was claiming to make this cake as an origianl idea or anyhting! I just was saying she thought the idea was unique or original with a designer here on CC! She fabulously thanked somebody! I was just showing how we make a cake and thank somebody and yet somebody still can get upset because that other person copied someone else who copied them! So it was like a great grandbaby cake! The one I am talking about is the adorable cat on a ball of yarn cake! It is adorable and I am not faulting the decorator for anything!!! I was just trying miserably I guess to make a point!
Another instance.... I just made an adorable taco salad cake. I took ideas from two different decorators! Later I found out that Millie had taken some of her ideas from someone else! Her salad was amazing too! I didn't thank her, though she obviously was my cakes grandmother. I didn't use her cake for design guide. I used these other two.... Hope this makes my point clearer and not worse!!
Hi Marthajo,
I get your point and agree 100%! Nothing new under the sun but I just think it is polite to ask and thank, BTW, I love your deviled eggs cookies... may I?? I would LOVE to make them too! Would be a fun joke for DH to take to work, they love my deviled eggs (the real ones...)
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