Cake Designers And Copyright Infringement

Business By JoanieB Updated 22 Jan 2012 , 5:09pm by JoanieB

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JoanieB Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 12:11am
post #1 of 8

I'm really struggling dealing with the fact that so many cake designers and bakeries are constantly selling character, sports, logo cakes etc. When I make a character cake I always use licensed toys, good quality ones too. I have done a groom's cake with a small college logo on it and I felt absolutely guilty over that. The groom was a former college athlete and wanted his championship ring replicated. They were neighbors of mine but they paid me for it.

However, I still have folks turn me away because they don't want "plastic toys" on their cakes. There is a very well known cake designer in my area that's won awards etc for some of her wedding cakes but she still does Disney, nickelodeon, MLB, NFL, etc cakes.

I find it hilarious that she, along with other designers, stamp their names across their cake photos which they have infringed on someone else's copyright. So, why does this happen and how can I not let it bother me?

7 replies
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cakeflake80 Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 5:34am
post #2 of 8

There are many reasons WHY it happens.....maybe they don't even realize it's copyright infringement, maybe they do and don't care...who knows! As for how to not let it bother you, I have to say just worry about what YOU are doing. I used to be so concerned about what others were doing, what they weren't doing, etc etc etc. It really brings you down, and you really don't have 100% focus on YOU. You know you are doing the right thing, so who cares what the people down the street are doing.

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kelleym Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 5:42am
post #3 of 8

The only person you can control is yourself.

Your hands are clean. You're not going to get a Cease & Desist letter in the mail, or worse, get sued for up to $50,000 per instance of infringement.

All anyone can do is take care of their own back yard. And it sounds like you're doing it, so try to focus on that. icon_smile.gif

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JoanieB Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 1:21pm
post #4 of 8

You're right, thank you. I guess I just need to just shake it off.

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jason_kraft Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 4:10pm
post #5 of 8

If it really bothers you it's usually not too difficult to contact the copyright owners and give them a heads up.

For example, an company called CAPS polices copyright infringements for all major sports logos in the US:
http://www.capsinfo.com/content.cfm?capsnav=contact

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JoanieB Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 4:42pm
post #6 of 8

I really couldn't see myself snitching on someone...as tempting as it is. I think I just need to stop being so worried about it and handle my own I guess. But it is frustrating.

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bobwonderbuns Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 5:03pm
post #7 of 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoanieB

I'm really struggling dealing with the fact that so many cake designers and bakeries are constantly selling character, sports, logo cakes etc. When I make a character cake I always use licensed toys, good quality ones too. I have done a groom's cake with a small college logo on it and I felt absolutely guilty over that. The groom was a former college athlete and wanted his championship ring replicated. They were neighbors of mine but they paid me for it.

However, I still have folks turn me away because they don't want "plastic toys" on their cakes. There is a very well known cake designer in my area that's won awards etc for some of her wedding cakes but she still does Disney, nickelodeon, MLB, NFL, etc cakes.

I find it hilarious that she, along with other designers, stamp their names across their cake photos which they have infringed on someone else's copyright. So, why does this happen and how can I not let it bother me?




You know, if it's a legit bakery selling logo and character cakes, they may have bought the rights to do that -- it does happen. OR they could have bought the deco-pack which is also legal. Just from your post I wasn't clear on what exactly the situation was. But I definitely agree with the others -- the only one you can control is yourself. People who frequently disobey the laws get caught at some point.

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JoanieB Posted 22 Jan 2012 , 5:09pm
post #8 of 8

I apologize for not specifying, but these are NOT decopac cakes. These are character cakes completed completely out of cake, fondant etc. as well as professional sports logos done in the same manner. These cakes are not done in a volume that paying several thousands of dollars in licensing fees would make any type of sense.

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