There are thousands of beautiful and unique cakes here. What are the rules? Can cakes be replicated by someone else?

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery -- or so I've been told

many will say -- OH i'd be sooooooooooo thrilled if someone thought my cake worthy of copying.

BUT....

good manners do advise to

always give credit where credit is due.....
or as we English teacher types are always crabbing about: "cite your sources!!!!!"
so do recognize who inspired you when you post or talk about your cake.

it never hurts to say:

mother, may I

before copying either.

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welcome to CC -- your new addiction! (don't say you weren't warned!)

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here's a link to a little cheat sheet to help you understand our tendency to use lots and lots of abbreviations.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926.html

HTH