I'm just curious... if someone copied one of your cakes and posted it, would you be flattered or upset? I personally would be flattered, but I'm just curious how others would feel.

Oh, yeah, flattered. The greatest compliment is imitation. I would love for someone to like one of mine enough to copy it or use it as an inspiration.

Sandy

I also would be very flattered. I think that's why most of us post the pictures of our cakes here to help inspire other people or share new ideas and techniques. Cake Central is the best for that. I think that if anyone got upset over this they would not post their cakes. But who knows.

I love when people sent me PM saying that they are going to use my designs. I dont mind using them. I do love seeing them.
What I dont like is my photos stolen, that, is another story.
Edna

I would be flattered that someone liked one of my cakes enough to want it duplicated. But I don't make cakes as primary income. I just do it as a hobby.

Totally flattered!
But I don't have to worry about it because I'm no where good enough for someone to copy me!

I'd be flattered! I always need help coming up with ideas! I love being able to browse CC looking for ideas/inspirations! If I didn't want others to "copy"(not that I am that great!) I wouldn't post my pictures.

Edna, I could definitly see why people would copy your designs. Your fantastic!

I would be so excited if someone copied one of my cakes... or even said my cake inspired them!

I know that every time I'm "inspired" by a cake I see here on CC, it's because I LOVE how the cake looks, so if someone felt the same way about one of my cakes, I would be flattered and very happy.

Flattered!

Edna- I totally understand...we can borrow your ideas, you just don't want us to claim your pictures as our own! Duh! LOL! I would never do that, but with how good Edna is, I am assuming that she has encountered problems before!

I would be very flattered if someone copied my cake. If I never wanted anyone to copy what I was doing then I would never upload them. I love CC for the albums and all the inspirattion they provide.

I would be just over my head flattered!!!

And let me tell you all, what you show here in this community is just so inspiring, and not only the photos but just all you teach and share.

It's almost impossible not to want to copy or base on some of the works, and come back next day (first thing in the morning ) to learn a little more.

Thank you everybody!! And please feel free to copy me.

Without a doubt, I'd be flattered. HOWEVER, if their cake ends up looking better than mine, I'd be a-n-g-r-y ONLY JOKING...

Exactly as the others said.......butternut hit it right on the nose

So flattered you'd need a crowbar to get the grin off of my face!

Thanks Classy Mommy and mariu...

I have a few people using my photos in their websites, and I just say to them, if they are my photos please make sure to give me credit and not to cut my name out of them. And I will gladly let them use the photo as long as I am asked.. Is a huge complement for me.
I love people using my designs... I love even more when they give me credit and mention me or even invite me to see their creations. Is a huge honor..

What I dont enjoy is stealing my photos and using them as their own designs..thats just not right..


Edna

I think I'll finally feel like I'm become a halfway decent decorator the day someone copies one of my cakes! You won't be able to wipe the smile off my face!

Jodie

When I've been PMed for instructions on how to make one of my cakes it sent me over the top flattered..I couldn't type the instructions fast enough to reply back..and oh at the times I have asked someone else for instructions and they were more than happy to share with me...this is one awesome place to share and learn with like minds and kind hearts...

I decided that I didn't find this place by accident anymore, it was by fate!

i think it would be ok as long as they didn't sell it to a magazine or something

Like most of the previous posts, I would be totally flattered! I have gained so many ideas and techniques from other CC'rs. I am thrilled if someone likes one of my cakes enough to use if for inspiration.!

I'd be flattered ~ if I had any pictures posted!!
I guess I'm in "total awe" everyday when I see the creations made here on CC by our members. I'm almost embarrassed at the thought of someone looking at my pictures (for now atleast)!
But I do get my ideas from our members, and when I am using a cake idea, I always PM the original maker to let them know how much I love their cake and that I'm going to use their idea. But, that being said, I do always try to put a "twist" of my own to the cake so it's not exactly like the original.
If I ever do post, I'd definitely give credit where credit is due!

I can't even imagine anyone copying my cakes. But definitely flattered!!!

I had it happen only once and was elated and oh so flattered. I was also happy to see that they DID give me credit because I've seen so many times when people don't do that or say they forget who's cake it was that inspired it yet it looks like almost an exact copy.

Personally I have been inspired by so many cakes but haven't yet had an opportunity to copy another person's designs because I just don't make that many yet and I still have so many ideas floating in my head that I want to try. But when the time comes that I do duplicate another members cake, I will definitely PM them so they know and can see for themselves.

As others mentioned, people wouldn't post their pics if they minded them being copied but I'm sure they'd like it even better when they are given credit and for sure they would appreciate knowing when their cake inspired another if only so they can see the honour given to them.

Oh and I aspire to be in the same league as Edna so hers may be the first I do copy lol

Hey there everyone! I'm the one that posted the original question. I am so pleasantly surprized by everyone's responses. I was hoping most would be flattered. If I ever do knowingly copy someone's work, I'll be sure to give them credit. There are so many wonderfully talented cake artists here! I love that we can all share our knowledge and compliments with one another. Thanks!

I'm always flattered, too. What better compliment is there? I give instructions when I can...I mean...its's cake, not the secret recipe for CocaCola. Usually I get a little mention if someone really copies, and that's nice.
HOWEVER....
I recently had my photos stolen and they just plastered their logo on my photo. That really irked me, but I sent them a letter and they took them down immediately.

Everone gets ideas from everyone else....I have done cakes that are not exactly copies, but close enough to a famous artist's originals, but here and on my website, I try to always give obvious credit to them.

I don't care if a design is copied.

However, I did get very upset over the following situation. I had a cake featured in a magazine. It was a cake that I had designed and had never seen anything remotely similar anywhere. A year later, a competitor opened a second store on the same street as my store, but several miles away.

He placed an ad in a local paper announcing the opening of their new store and the picture of the wedding cake in the ad...an EXACT copy of my cake, except they added an extra set of pillars!

Put it in your store if you must, but DON"T put it in an ad when you are opening a store down the street!

I know he did it on purpose!!

I am always flattered when someone wants to copy my design and they email me for instructions. I'm like Edna though...just don't use my actual photos.

I wouldn't mind if someone copied a cake design of mine. I would mind if they used one of my pictures and called it theirs. I know that happens a lot with the internet these days. I don't think I have to worry about that yet though. My cakes are not that quality,... yet. I'm still working on that.