Awkward Question

Decorating By meghanb Updated 7 Nov 2006 , 9:21pm by aobodessa

cakerator Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cakerator Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:01pm
post #61 of 93

once again, this is an innocent post gone bad. icon_sad.gif its a shame.
to me, the post was just a discussion topic about the feelings and emotions we experience here at CC with our cakes being used as inspiration.
i didn't even have any clue about what cake the poster was referring to. nor do i have the time to search through a gazillion cakes to figure it out. so, therefore this will not influence my vote in the contest. (besides, the cake that i already voted for is a one of a kind in the contest - thats for sure)

icallitasiseeit: i feel like your post is now sabotaging the original poster's cake! you are doing what you feel the poster did to your wife and well, that just isn't fair.
also, if people are going to get themselves in such a tizzy over a CC cake contest maybe its time to take a little breather. JMHO

mkerton Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mkerton Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:05pm
post #62 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakerator

once again, this is an innocent post gone bad. icon_sad.gif its a shame.
to me, the post was just a discussion topic about the feelings and emotions we experience here at CC with our cakes being used as inspiration.
i didn't even have any clue about what cake the poster was referring to. nor do i have the time to search through a gazillion cakes to figure it out. so, therefore this will not influence my vote in the contest. (besides, the cake that i already voted for is a one of a kind in the contest - thats for sure)

icallitasiseeit: i feel like your post is now sabotaging the original poster's cake! you are doing what you feel the poster did to your wife and well, that just isn't fair.
also, if people are going to get themselves in such a tizzy over a CC cake contest maybe its time to take a little breather. JMHO





AMEN....well said!

tiptop57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tiptop57 Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:07pm
post #63 of 93

I'd to join boxing match please.....sorry so long but worth my 2 cents.

I once made a steak cake put it on a meat tray and wraped it in shrink wrap. I then descovered Mikes Amazing cakes and guess what, there was my cake!

Then a month or two later I made another steak cake and added a USDA seal on my husbands request.

Guess what, while cruising the cakes I discovered adven68's cake. OMG now what do I do? Well I PM'd the artist and let them know that I was not intenionally trying to steal a creation without giving credit. I had actually thought of it on my own and someone else did the same thing.

Sometimes it happens and it is just Serendipity. Other times it could be an oversight, and yet other times subconscious.

I personally have always tried to give credit where credit is due even if the cakes were already published. Then I also PM'd the original designer to give a heads up.

Here is my opinion. If ya don't want to be copied then don't put the photo on CC - period. And if you don't get credit - don't worry about it, because it is not worth stewing over. In the art world when a style sweeps across the field it is called a movement and people in the long run usually know the originals icon_smile.gif

meghanb Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
meghanb Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:08pm
post #64 of 93

Okay, I would just like to try and clear things up again....fruitlessly perhaps. icon_smile.gif
In my original post, I never said it was bad to "copy" or use other people's ideas. I was just asking how people felt when they first experienced it. I also mentioned in the second paragraph that I look to certain people for design inspiration. I think it's great that there is a place like CC to come for inspiration and ideas.
I should have known that the internet is a fickle place, sometimes you can not tell exactly how something was meant because you cannot hear how the person is speaking, and they are also not around immediately to defent themselves.
Also, in my 3rd post, I had said that I was flattered, and I am.
Thank you again for all of your responses and opinions.

jo_ann Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jo_ann Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:13pm
post #65 of 93

I just made a babyshower cake this past weekend which was inspired from a cake here, yet I can't find the original cake so I won't post my version of it (which I will admit is very close to the original cake, but that's what the customer wanted). I really don't want to upset anyone.

meghanb Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
meghanb Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:17pm
post #66 of 93

Jo_ann, don't let this thread stop you from posting it. A lot of time people will add in their description exactly what you wrote. That you got the idea from someone on CC and you aren't sure who it was. If the original decorator sees it, they will often speak up and say it was their cake, and they will appreciate the fact that you tried to give credit.

doleta Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
doleta Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:22pm
post #67 of 93

OMG! I WISH I could copy your cakes. You're awesome!!!
As I've said ad nauseaum.... icon_redface.gif
I used to be a wedding photographer.
Wedding photogs copy off each other all the time.
It is considered a compliment.
My husband for fun put "God is watching you" as a pop op on my website for other photogs who tried to download a picture. icon_lol.gif

thecakemaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
thecakemaker Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:22pm
post #68 of 93

Here we go again! This same exact post has been around and around and around with the same result each time. It starts with a "copied cake" or a duplicate cake in a contest. This isn't a million dollar contest and if you don't want your work to inspire others (where do you get your inspiration by the way) then don't post here. Chances are if you googled images of "ladybug cakes" or any other cake for that matter you'd probably get a similar cake from a totally different site. I get my inspiration from many places and CC is one of those places. Quite frankly - if I do a full duplicate of a cake I give credit where it is due but if there are 4 or 5 similar cakes on the site i'm not going to say "Thanks to 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 for the inspiration".

I've seen a lot of "Did you get inspiration from such and such for that cake? You didn't give them credit!" type comments on pictures too. Do we have cake police now?

Get over it already! We're supposed to be grown-ups here!


Debbie

jo_ann Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jo_ann Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:23pm
post #69 of 93

Don't get me wrong. This is not going to stop me from posting my cakes. For this particular cake, since it was soooo close to the original cake, this is the decision I made. As soon as I can find the original poster I will pm her and thank her. I, like others, have saved so many beautiful cakes from this site that it's hard to remember who was the "original" decorator. But I try not to copy any design exactly. But the customer was adament that she wanted THIS CAKE. And you never ever argue with a pregnant woman. Heehee

Icallitasiseeit Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Icallitasiseeit Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:28pm
post #70 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakerator



icallitasiseeit: i feel like your post is now sabotaging the original poster's cake! you are doing what you feel the poster did to your wife and well, that just isn't fair.




Well I guess there is no more advantage then and I wish her all the luck with her entry. (Which by the way I do think should stay in the competition)

mbelgard Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mbelgard Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:31pm
post #71 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecakemaker



I've seen a lot of "Did you get inspiration from such and such for that cake? You didn't give them credit!" type comments on pictures too. Do we have cake police now?

Get over it already! We're supposed to be grown-ups here!


Debbie




I think it's far more tacky to pm or put those kind of comments up as it is to copy a cake and not know exactly who did it. What if the person DIDN'T copy your cake and came up with the idea on their own? There are only so many ways to do things and we are all looking at the same cakes, books, tools, pans etc. If we aren't getting our inspiration from cakes we're getting it from something else around us.

CakesUnleashed Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
CakesUnleashed Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:33pm
post #72 of 93

Geez! This is getting ridiculous!

Cake Central used to be a fun place to visit. A place to get inspiration, ideas and techniques. A place where you could chat with friendly, open, giving and sharing people. Now, I am afraid to "say" anything or "do" anything without being charged GUILTY of something that WE ALL DO!!!!

The Gallery is a nice showroom to exhibit our latest creations. Being such, it is also a great place to get inspired and develop new ways of design.

We look at sooooo many different pics that it is somewhat hard to remember "who" did "what." Yes! It is true, "giving credit where credit is due", is a good rule of thumb. Something I strive to do with each creation. But seriously, should we fall apart and whine and complain because someone uses our idea? Hell NO! It's a compliment for goodness sake.

As far as contests go - You all know that I was badgered because I chose to enter the Wilton "Decorate to Celebrate" Contest with a cake inspired by Debbie Brown. No! It is not an exact duplicate, but people complained, just the same. How ridiculous is that? I still created it MY WAY and I did all the work MYSELF!

Is there a law against being INSPIRED by someone else? NO!!!!!!!

I say, if you are going to be the slightest bit upset that someone appreciates your cake, to the point of copying it, then DO NOT POST YOUR PRECIOUS CAKE in the cake gallery for all to see!

thecakemaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
thecakemaker Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:42pm
post #73 of 93

Amen!

tinascakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tinascakes Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:43pm
post #74 of 93

Sometimes many people can come up with the same idea. A few months ago I decided to make a cake, came up with the idea on my own and after I made it, I was on this site and there it was!!! obviously the person could not have known that I just made that same cake. Two weeks ago I came up with an idea for a cake and told my sister about it, well last Friday we were in Walmart and again, there was my idea. Sometimes people really do just think alike.

meghanb Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
meghanb Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:43pm
post #75 of 93

Perhaps a moderator could step in and lock this post.
It's obvious that my original point was lost, and it seems like I cannot make myself heard anymore.

SophieBelle Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
SophieBelle Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:44pm
post #76 of 93

You guys are going to scare of the newbies (like me).

What a bummer.

denise4 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
denise4 Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:47pm
post #77 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakesUnleashed

Geez! This is getting ridiculous!

Cake Central used to be a fun place to visit. A place to get inspiration, ideas and techniques. A place where you could chat with friendly, open, giving and sharing people. Now, I am afraid to "say" anything or "do" anything without being charged GUILTY of something that WE ALL DO!!!!

The Gallery is a nice showroom to exhibit our latest creations. Being such, it is also a great place to get inspired and develop new ways of design.

We look at sooooo many different pics that it is somewhat hard to remember "who" did "what." Yes! It is true, "giving credit where credit is due", is a good rule of thumb. Something I strive to do with each creation. But seriously, should we fall apart and whine and complain because someone uses our idea? Hell NO! It's a compliment for goodness sake.

As far as contests go - You all know that I was badgered because I chose to enter the Wilton "Decorate to Celebrate" Contest with a cake inspired by . No! It is not an exact duplicate, but people complained, just the same. How ridiculous is that? I still created it MY WAY and I did all the work MYSELF!

Is there a law against being INSPIRED by someone else? NO!!!!!!!

I say, if you are going to be the slightest bit upset that someone appreciates your cake, to the point of copying it, then DO NOT POST YOUR PRECIOUS CAKE in the cake gallery for all to see!




I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
I have been on CC for most of the day (did'nt feel well enough to do much else) but I have been following 2 posts that have gone a bit....well unfriendly.....I must say I'm a bit shocked and dismayed by it all....I feel now that I dare'nt make any comments.....it's kind of took all the enjoyment out of it.....

CakesUnleashed Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
CakesUnleashed Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 3:57pm
post #78 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinascakes

Sometimes many people can come up with the same idea. A few months ago I decided to make a cake, came up with the idea on my own and after I made it, I was on this site and there it was!!! obviously the person could not have known that I just made that same cake. Two weeks ago I came up with an idea for a cake and told my sister about it, well last Friday we were in Walmart and again, there was my idea. Sometimes people really do just think alike.



That is so very true! Someone earlier mentioned a steak cake in plastic wrap, the whole thing. I, too, thought of that exact same cake one day while at the grocery store. When I looked here at CC to see if it had been done, sure enough! Not just one time, either! So, we all do have a brain and we all do use it.

Sum it up to an age old analogy, "Great minds think alike."

mdutcher Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mdutcher Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 4:15pm
post #79 of 93

I'm doing a strawberry shortcake cake this weekend for my niece. One idea I was leaning toward was a 2 layer cake with a fondant ruffle on the top layer with a purchased doll (her cake is my gift to her so I wanted to include a toy) sitting on top. Anyway, I just did a search to look for inspiration on colors and such, and low and behold there is a 2 layer cake with a (what looks to be edible...great job--I'm not even close to being that good!)doll sitting on top.

It is very true. Many creative people have the same ideas in their heads. Just because a cake looks similar, doesn't always mean they copied. I have got ideas for cakes here, and would never claim it to be original if it's not. But many of my cakes are created in my head. I will always try to give credit if I copy.

MissRobin Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
MissRobin Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 4:43pm
post #80 of 93

I would absolutely be flattered and excited if someone copied one of my cakes. I think this forum is a beautiful experience. I have learned so much from so many people and am thankful to those who originated it. In addition, I have surfed so many pictures on here, and I am always amazed at the talent and ideas and level of creativity that all of you have. I have seen so many cakes that I would like to try and do, such as pillows, shoes, boxes, topsy turvy, and if I do post a picture I will try to give credit where credit is due. I will definitely mention that it is not an original of mine. In fact the ghost cake in my photos is a cake that i saw due to a post on this forum. The instructions on "how to" came from a different forum but I did it pretty much exactly how the instructions and photos read. I truly hope I didn't offend anyone and I have to say that every time I make a cake it is a learning experience and I think that is what is important, and the pleasure you give to those you make them for.

canoewoman Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
canoewoman Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 4:44pm
post #81 of 93

Someone WILL most certainly copy a cake if you do answer questions on how it all was done as that is the reason they are asking the questions. If you feel so strongly about your cakes being copied and not getting credit posting pics on CC may not be a good idea as many people come here looking for cakes to make in certain design styles. You should most certainly be flattered that someone did want to use your idea but if they change even one thing about it, it is technically their individual design regardless of where the idea came from. As long as you know YOU did a great job on the cake and the customer was happy that should be all the credit you need.

RisqueBusiness Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
RisqueBusiness Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 4:57pm
post #82 of 93

I know that's why I came back, to look and see what was being offered in my NICHE. I have copied ideas and not given credit..because I have been decorating a cake on the fly and incorporated the design and forgoten WHO inspired me...But I apprecitate the inspiration.

and If I inspire someone, I appreciate the compliment.

The ONLY thing I'm afraid of ...if someone asks me directions for a naughty cake...and I don't know WHO I'm talking too...If they are adults or not, since now they have children looking through here..

I dont' want the FBI swooping down on me..lol!!!

Sweetpeeps Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sweetpeeps Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 5:20pm
post #83 of 93

lol Risquesbusiness. That's so funny. Your avatar doesn't help much either! I'm sure you're always peeking out your window looking for the "black car"

RisqueBusiness Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
RisqueBusiness Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 5:38pm
post #84 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetpeeps

lol Risquesbusiness. That's so funny. Your avatar doesn't help much either! I'm sure you're always peeking out your window looking for the "black car"




I don't mean to highjack the post..but this is funny.

I was looking through the computer for SOMETHING for a customers cakes..and I was engrossed that when the mail man came in...I jumped out of my skin! icon_surprised.gif

lol

I mean..HE is a civil servant and all! icon_rolleyes.gif

Sweetpeeps Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sweetpeeps Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 5:58pm
post #85 of 93

ROFL!!!!!!! And now your guilty of highjacking! Your really in for it now!

Please don't tell me there is really such a thing as highjacking a post. oh no! I think I've done that. Sorry sorry sorry. I'm such a dork. I never thought of that before. Good grief now the FBI is going to be at my door.

aobodessa Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
aobodessa Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 6:54pm
post #86 of 93

Wow. I just spent a lot of time reading all 6 pages of this thread, and while I don't want to extend the life of this with a hugely lengthy discussion, the thought occurred to me: where do I get my ideas from? I have a steadily-growing library of cake books (thank you e-bay!) that I refer to, and I like to occasionally browse through the photos here. But I am not looking for ideas, necessarily, just admiring someone else's work and the tremendous possibilities we can accomplish in cake artistry.

Like everyone else here, I don't live in a bubble. My creative influences come from a variety of sources and my mental file cabinet is jammed full of ideas and images that I see daily and have seen over the course of my 40+ years on this planet. When I sit down with a Client to plan a cake, I first take their ideas and then start to sketch things ... I'm sure those images in my "mental file cabinet" come in to the mix, but there is not usually any one particular cake that I would intentionally copy to make a Client happy. In fact, I discourage a "Xerox" of any particular cake preferring, instead, to put the Client's particular "voice" or "spin" in/on it. (i.e., Susan & Bill's wedding cake should express who THEY are, not look like the one from Jim & Jan that they loved so much and wanted to copy).

That being said, the original question was how I would feel if I see someone else's work that appeared to be copied from my own work. I absolutely have to say that I don't know how I would feel ... I've not run in to this particular animal yet (maybe my work just stinks that badly? ... no, more likely not enough of my work is posted herein.). I would like to think that I would take a good look at the work the "copyist" had done and note differences in technique, color, style, etc. and try to see if those ideas made the design more successful or perhaps more uniquely theirs.

I DO think it's wise to make an attempt to mention where your idea comes from, but it's not always necessary or possible as there can be so many different influences. As for "copying" published work, I supposed my opinion is two-fold: 1) who amongst us hasn't "copied" a Wilton book cake??? that's what they're there for -- to train and educate! and 2) I believe that a person who goes to the length to publish their work is doing so to further educate us and show what is possible in this artform. They probably anticipate that their work is going to be copied in one form or another ... that's how we all learn! You master those techniques first, and then create your own masterworks.

I just believe that CC is a really great place where we can all learn from one another ... and we do! ... and we do try to support each other as much as we can. This backbiting doesn't help us, nor does it make us look good, either to our "cake community" or to the general public and it really should stop.

In the US, we're each allowed to have our opinions, AND we're allowed to express them. Not so in many other countries. I don't think we serve anyone by being intentionally hurtful to each other.

And, finally, if I have posted a cake that appears to have been copied or inspired by anyone else's work and I have failed to give credit, then PLEASE accept it as a compliment. That mental file cabinet is not always the most highly functioning piece of equipment in my kitchen! icon_lol.gif

Odessa

7yyrt Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
7yyrt Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 7:16pm
post #87 of 93

GREAT! Now we have to make you some F.B.I. cookies, RisqueBusiness and Sweetpeeps!
Can't you just see it - hordes of gingerbread people in suits, ties and sunglasses pouring in through your mailbox! ...Image

RisqueBusiness Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
RisqueBusiness Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 7:19pm
post #88 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7yyrt

GREAT! Now we have to make you some F.B.I. cookies, RisqueBusiness and Sweetpeeps!
Can't you just see it - hordes of gingerbread people in suits, ties and sunglasses pouring in through your mailbox! ...Image




OMG loving this idea! I am for sure going to steal it..ahahaaa! and give you ABSOLUTELY NO CREDIT FOR IT>.


Bwawwahhaaa!

You evil genius, welcome to the DARK SIDE!!!! icon_razz.gif

Sweetpeeps Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sweetpeeps Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 7:30pm
post #89 of 93

You two are a riot!!! lol

RisqueBusiness Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
RisqueBusiness Posted 7 Nov 2006 , 7:35pm
post #90 of 93
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetpeeps

You two are a riot!!! lol




and YOU LIKE IT! icon_razz.gif


Well, at least this is better than what the thread was heading towards..lol

Let's just agree to dissagree. if you don't want someone paying you the compliment of copying your cake, do what I do..those I don't post... tapedshut.gif

If, it has had a good run...then by all means post it!

lol

If I need to show off my cake, I have people outside... tapedshut.gif (shhhh don't tell anyone!!) that I send my pics to and they give me all the compliments that I need to keep doing this,

Through the hip and knee pain...through the living off caffeen and granola bar days...and just plain aggravating and stressing as to were the rents are comming from.

So..if I can be happy.....

I SPRINKLE, PRETTY PEARLY EDIBLE FAIRY GLITTER OVER EVERYONE!

Thanks for letting me ramble!

{{{WIGGLEY HUGS}}}

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%