Friday, July 10, 2009

To Copy or Not to Copy

     Let’s talk about copying, shall we?  I am curious to know how you feel about it.

     Are you of the ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ camp ,or the ‘I can’t believe she got that too’ camp?

     I think there must be degrees that are either acceptable or not acceptable.  That’s my story when it applies to me.

Look at the terminology:

borrowing-sounds innocent enough

clone- sounds creepy to me

counterfeit-against the law

ditto- a shortcut in language, harmless enough

fake- this poor word will never have a positive connotation (except on Canal Street in New York City)

imitate- sounds cute; sounds like a reference to my youngest grandson’s language

plagiarize- NO,NO,NO-NEVER (high school English teacher flashback)

mimic-what my daughters have done to me

     My confessions about copying include those occasions when I see something , and I just can’t stand it… it CALLS to me- even if it is in someone else’s house, is hanging around their neck, on their arm, or is hanging on their wall…

Whew… I don’t necessarily feel better for admitting that, but there you have it.

Such as:

Horchow’s Napoleonic Bee flatware (FYI- today’s the last day for free shipping all you copycat sisters- apparently there are more of us- it is on back order) first spied on Between Naps on the Porch and then yesterday on Dixie’s blog French Lique.

Adams Calyx Singapore Bird-first spotted on Designs by Gollum, discontinued pattern .Those two words -discontinued pattern- punch the hot lava button of wanting in my big toe.

I hope these ladies are of the ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ persuasion…

    

    

 

24 comments:

Jo said...

I think as long as you give credit and don't claim it to be your own you are ok........Jo

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Laura...

Just wanted to stop by and say hello! We got back from our Texas family vacation last Saturday...it was glorious!!! Girl, the only thing I didn't mind leaving behind was your Texas heat...whew!!! It was a whopping 100 degrees or more every day we were there...I don't know now you do it! Anyway, I'm trying to play catch up now...though, I fear that I'm not being very successful...things move awfully fast in Blogland! Hehe!

I just looked down through some of your posts that I have missed...you have been busy, my friend! Zumba??? Wow, I admire your energy!!! I also really enjoyed your Thursday tablescape where you used your Nikko’s Summer Glade in the Blossom Time dishes...they're gorgeous, my friend! In fact, I would love to have a set! I'm such a copycat...which brings me to the subject of your post today. I have always thought of copying as the highest form of flattery!!! If someone likes it enough to copy then you've done something great! Well...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!! Hehe!!!

Thank you so much for joining in with Sunday Favorites while I was away! I loved your pretty fushia meditation book! Such wonderful insight on the phrase "circle back"...I loved it!!!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Chari

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I think as long as it is for sale then you have every right in the world to own it also! I think however if it something that someone has created and it is a one of a kind items..and usually these are the wonderful artisans, etc. out there...then...I think you should ask. Actually I don't think I would ask OR take in that case. But something for sale on Horchow...is simply yours for the buying!
If it is something that is on someones blog that they, again, have created...than you are out of line to just take it without asking.
Example. I had someone make my blog background..special..and I paid to have it done. We worked together and she used my input. If asked...and credit was given to the one who took my idea's and put it together for me...and to me...I think it would be nice...and who cares. Just don't copy exactly. LOL Who would want to do that anyway?!! We all get our idea's from one another on here...this is where we showcase and share. Isn't it great? :)
I doubt anyone would care at all if you indulged in that beautiful flatware! :)
Hugs,
Mona

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

If it's for sale why not! You can always say where you saw it first if you remember!

Manuela

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

P.S. Notice how everyone gives out detail of how they found this or that? :) You usually don't have to ask...we tell you. I usually don't know...as I find things in garage sales but I do tell the name if I know it...and don't forget it. Copy me all you want...IF you can find something to copy! :) Help yourself in other words...

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I think it's perfectly ok to copy something. Think how many of us have the Target birdies or the Big Lots dishes. Seems like we are all happy. Great post. Hugs, Marty

Dawn said...

I definately feel that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!"

I like to refer to it as inspiration! I always try to give credit where credit is due, though!

Melissa Miller said...

I say copy away! I LOVE when someone tells me they bought something they saw on my blog posts. It's fun and I wouldn't blog if I cared.

I just adore your witty writing style.
Keep em' coming! :)

Melissa Miller said...

PS I love that bee flatware too....I am not even going to look....:) Oh this is so hard not to take a peek at it.

blushing rose said...

Who could present a reply better than Mona, Wsprsweetly Of Cottages ... I agree totally with her. TTFN ~Marydon

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

I laughed my head off at this post Mona!!!! You have a natural talent girl...I loved the Horchow Bee flate-ware too..."Imitation is the sincerest form of Flattery" I even stated that on my blog.... Mona.. are you copying my blog!LOL...Love you girl, xoxo~Kathy~ @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Debbie's Garden said...

If people didnt want their ideas copied, borrowed, stolen or whatever,... they wouldn't be posting them! Besides I have a new term for it to ease your conscience. It "inspires" you. You usually put your own tweek on something anyway AND you don't live next door to the person!

Dixie said...

Girl... if I put it on my blog I WANT you to copy it... well... except for my photos... and I'll even let folks have them as long as they ask and give credit where credit is due...

I love that bee flatware... and knew it came from Horchow thanks to Susan. When I decided I wanted to replace some old flatware we have, I went to Horchow's website to see what the cost was...and found it on sale... so of course, I had to share the info with my blogging buddies!

Horchow told me mine would be backordered... but then today I received a notice it had shipped. (yippeeee!)

I am actually thinking about selling 4-place settings on ebay so I can afford the facelift...

have a "cool" weekend... and bee...inspired! ;)

Domestic Designer said...

I think imitation is the highest form of flattery. I love learning about new products and ideas in blogland and then using it in some way myself. Have a great weekend!
DD

Anonymous said...

Plagerize, absolutely not.

Copyright.. not with permission.

The rest... life is way too short but if it is a personal item, just heads and ask the person. Most people are kind enough & generous enough to share. I would be and know many others are as well.

Kelly said...

I completely agree. It's called being inspired. And I've always been told that mockery (or imitating) is the sincerest form of flattery! I agree with that, don't you?

Julie said...

I love the name of your Blog! I am obsessed with spray painting everything white..;)
Thanks for becoming a follower and for your
advice on the new look. Maybe you will be the Grand Prize winner of the GLAM drawing???
Have a great weekend...julie

Poolside with the Girls said...

I had a neighbor for 14 years who spray painted everything. I loved that about her. I just found your blog today, glad to be following!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Hmmmm....how do I really feel? I think we all have to be very careful if we claim another's work, style, ideas, layouts, graphics, designs, patterns, techniques are our own...

I like Ms. Rachel Ashwell's comment on taking another's work (even bits and pieces of it) better than any other I've read in all my years of creating... She nailed my feelings down to a "T"...

Here is her quote:

"I have always wondered what if feels like being in the head of person
that COPIES. To me that is life as a destination without a journey.
Why would anyone want to create something that wasn’t their own heart
and soul?
Just for money I suppose.
That’s something I don’t understand." --Rachel Ashwell

I think each of us can say we've been inspired by something. But, at the same time we need to be careful that we don't cross that invisable line and begin to wrongly believe (and SAY!)that what we have "created" has been birthed out of our own heart. I say BE AN AUTHENTIC YOU! We each have it within ourselves to carve out our own path, create our own beauty and discover our own unique calling.

GREAT POST!

xoRebecca

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I'm ok with anybody who wants to "copy" me - cuz I certainly "copy" others -- I've gotten the target s&p's and yesterday went to Big Lots with a gift certificate and just couldn't walk out without the dishes!!! That I didn't need! I say even when we "copy" it's usually with our own little flair anyway - not too many of us invented anything we show. Love your posts BTW -- and I hope your husband's doing well.

Designs on 47th Street said...

This is a very appropriate post! Yes, like many others said, I think it is perfectly fine if credit is given. Trouble is, sometimes I can't remember where I first saw the idea.

I do think that all of us copy from someone~ somewhere from time to time.

Kammy said...

HI Laura !
What a so real post, LOL ! I do think it is pure flatery ! Also, unless you buy the exact thing, it is copying...but if you make it - you
take the ideas and it is your own. When I take a quilt class all the ladies use the same fabric and pattern....I did that a couple of times but, can't anymore cuz it isn't MINE. Guess I have to have my stamp on it, LOL.
Hugs ~ Kammy
p.s. I really want that bee flatware too - if it weren't so dang expensive and I was sooo cheap I would have gotten it by now !

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Laura!

I'm in the inspiration camp.....If I see something I love I'll "translate" it into my style....I've had friends copy my ideas exactly and it doesn't bother me a bit...but I think art is whole different kettle of fish....whew, none of that made any sense did it? See, that proves it...I SHOULD copy other people's writing! :-)

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!
Spencer

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, that is so funny! I am catching up on my blog reading, so I'm reading your blog backwards. I just told you in the post after this one that I might have to go find some of those same plates! I hope you know what a sincere form of flattery that is!!! Very thought-provoking post. I don't think there have been many original ideas in this world! I think I'm always copying someone (at least in some form), but I may not always realize it. laurie

 

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