If I duplicate a cake that I've seen on a website, is that a no-no? I'll have my own take on it, but, obviously I'll be influenced by what I've seen. When I say a website, I mean a bakery. Thanks for knowledgable responses.
Nothing under the sun is new! So long as you don't claim to have made up the idea yourself, and you are willing to give credit, you will be fine. Most people will be flattered to have you copy their ideas!
You might want to check out this current CC thread about copyrighting:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-664311-.html
Honestly, I've always used people's designs and just mentioned their name as an inspiration, but it sounds like it may be a no-no sometimes!
If I duplicate a cake that I've seen on a website, is that a no-no? I'll have my own take on it, but, obviously I'll be influenced by what I've seen. When I say a website, I mean a bakery. Thanks for knowledgable responses.
I've purchased cake decorating books from some famous "bakers". Their books give full and total instructions on how to make "their" cakes and cookies. I've paid for their "instruction" by buying their books e.g., Confetti Cakes and Toba Garrett's cakes and cookie books. If they didn't want anyone copying their designs, why would they have their books printed, and sold with step by step instruction? I don't understand. I believe their designs are all originals. I'm speaking about books now, not websites advertising their cakes.
You might want to check out this current CC thread about copyrighting:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-664311-.html
Honestly, I've always used people's designs and just mentioned their name as an inspiration, but it sounds like it may be a no-no sometimes!
Wow this threat got CRAZY 
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It does give you something to think about huh !!! 
I honestly don't understand how you can copyright basic things... and designs. How can copyright a an apple cookie for example. Images of apples have been around for a very long time. I know you can't just re-post someone's work as your own-DUH but if your fully reproduce it then you made it. I know it's illegal to sell copyrighted material and images. But honestly basic things like sport ball cookies and simple images we've seen ad nausium... how can any lawyer honestly say OK if anyone makes something similar and doesn't contact you first for your OK then you can sue them on infringement. I mean really someone and in fact several people are bound to duplicate that image without even knowing or ever seeing it. Businesses everywhere make such similar stuff this line of legality is really confusing to me.
I just emailed the copyright office and asked if you can copyright a cookie or cake design. We'll see what they say when they get around to answering me!
Eat all the evidence and you'll be fine
I like Angela's thought process! LOL. 
NOM!
But in all seriousness, I've always thought that if you gave full credit to the original baker, you'd be fine. I do know there is a problem with "licensed characters" like Mickey, Pooh, etc. But that is often overlooked in small scale bakers, and larger scale bakeries often pay for the royalties or whatever the terms are.
On another note, that other thread got intense! Wow!
Eat all the evidence and you'll be fine
I like Angela's thought process! LOL.
NOM! But in all seriousness, I've always thought that if you gave full credit to the original baker, you'd be fine. I do know there is a problem with "licensed characters" like Mickey, Pooh, etc. But that is often overlooked in small scale bakers, and larger scale bakeries often pay for the royalties or whatever the terms are.
On another note, that other thread got intense! Wow!
Yeah, one question seems to lead to another in these kinds of threads, and it never ends. It's interesting, though. I think you could get a lawyer to tell you whatever you wanted on this subject, depending on how they spin it.
So what if someone comes to you and asks you to make a cake that looks like Martha Stewart made. You cant do it and disappoint them? Thats crazy. There are lots of the same looking cakes on here.
I will usually just contact the bakery and ask them if they mind if I use one of their designs. I've had nothing but niceness from everyone I've talked to.
Eat all the evidence and you'll be fine
Good advise 
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As was mentioned many decorators have published books witgh complete directions. If someone puts a pic on the internet it is considered copy-able. If you don't want anyone makeing a similar cake then don't post any pix.
I see *NOTHING* wrong w/trying to copy someones cake because 99 out of a 100times it will be different enough.
How many times have you tried to do a cake from instructions either on video (like YouTube) or in a book and had it come out *EXACTLY* like the pic?
I have always understood the law to be that you could not copyright a cake design. There are too many cakes out there that look alike to even know who came up with what idea first.
When using the internet or even magazines for inspiration, how do you know that that person was the first to do that design and that they didn't get the idea from somewhere else. I've seen on here were people thought they had a completely new, something never been done in cake before design, only to find out that someone else did it before them.
I could understand maybe copywriting a specific techinque on how to do something, but just a design?
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