Copy Cats! - does it bother you if someone tries to copy your doll's style/looks?

It isn't shocking. Happens in real life as well. People who copy other people's looks. People who buy and wear what celebrities wear, who cut and style their hair to look like the hair of their favorite actress or model etc. What about cosplay? XD (Kidding. XD) Or professional impersonators? XD

On a more extreme note, do you know the movie, Single White Female? 8|

Copying dolls isn't right or wrong but it sure would be annoying and maybe even creepy, if the copying is such that a single glance would tell you instantly that someone has absolutely no imagination whatsoever in coming up with a distinctive look for her own doll. However, there isn't much one can do about it. And if one posts photos of one's doll on the web, at some time or other, then having one's doll's look copied is always a possibility. Who knows? There may be a whole lot of copying going on, but we just don't know about it.

It's human to get upset but you could gently remind your friend to take pride in being the one who has greater imagination and creativity. She's not the one at fault, her doll is still her property, and life goes on. =)

 

I suppose that's why some doll owners do go beyond simple customization (eyes, wig, clothes) and modify other aspects of their doll (tattoos, scars, extra appendages, personality, etc.).

You can't expect not to get copied if your doll has features and accessories that are bought from a store and unmodified. These are mass-produced, after all. Even OOAK/LE clothes are ripped off by other less scrupulous merchants. For your doll to be ultimately unique, you have to go beyond just shopping for him/her.

 

I would be annoyed, but, honestly, life goes on. There's nothing I could do to stop someone if they decided to copy, so there's not much point in worrying about it. Besides, some one could make a doll look as much like say Frank or Liam if they want to, but it would never be Frank or Liam.

 

Yes i would also consider it plagarism. I've seen a very unique faceup here on DoA which i'm using as inspiration for my own faceup. I certainly wouldn't DREAM of trying to make an exact copy, plus i want this to be MY doll, not a shadow copy of someone else's. (I would also feel i couldn't share pictures of her as its like stealing someone else's work)

I've had photos of my dolls taken for ebay auctions (as they are selling a similar doll) that really annoys me too, i take time to make up the setting, maybe retake the pictures a few time to get the correct lighting and so on, thensomeone just takes my work without asking

I think if i were your friend i would take the view that this person will get bored, move on and copy someone else's work as this is like a whim. You can't talk to people like that who really aren't interested in your point of view, so just ignore her

 

It may be seen in an artistic view: you are given a canvas with a few outlines on it and using all your imagination and tallent..hours of hard work painting, you create something beautiful...
Then some kid takes a photo, prints it out and sells it as their own work.

:P Its sort of the same thing, all dolls, even if they come from a very famous and well sold sculpt, are all unique, customised to their owner's, and their own, personality.

uh...

But basically, no one wants their doll being copied. however there is nothing to stop it, no rule or law... if they want to use their money to make a copy good for them.

Their doll will never match or even come close to the original item. Its just and object, a hollow imitation.

 

Yes indeed, we can't force anyone to stop copying or liking someone else's doll. And I agree as well on the "life goes on" thema. It's not terribly offending yet still very annoying. I personnaly wouldn't appreciate that, as it took me ages to bond or 'find' my dolls.

No pictures anymore! It took place on another board and the topic of the copy has been deleted on a request of the other person. Apparently didn't like to be scolded publically, ahem.

I also understand that you can have a different way of seeing your doll, but if someone says "no" politely to a copy, I find it normal not to copy. Whatever your opinion is, it's just basic respect of someone's feelings. I know celebrities are commonly copied, and that it's easy to get the same clothes, same hair and such. However most of them are aware of this phenomenon and play with it; they launch a trend and keep their name on top of it. (I would say like Madonna) Here it is a more private matter, someone you could meet and not an ideal to reach. I don't know how to explain how I feel this difference...

Both dolls are standards, with standard face-ups as well. The copy is more on accessories. The other person used pictures of the 1st Belladonna to order the same wig to a custom wig shop, and asked the owner to sew her the same clothes (and was answered they would be similar but not identical). Her intention has always been very clear, she just didn't correct people saying the same look was a hazard.

My friend's doll will always be hers and that's why I love her. It just hurts to see her sad and feeling dispossessed of the heart put in a doll she (also) took ages to 'domesticate'.

 

If it was unintentional or just coincidence then it wouldnt bother me at all...
If its intentional... or goes beyone meer coincidence then yeah i get irritated. (its happened a couple of times to me... >_<)
Its not something i can change though so i just try to keep quiet...

Simmilarities are going to happen though... thats life.

Rachie XX

 

To be honest, it would bother me to see my dolls copied. Most of them have had their sculpt modified in some way or another to be a specific one of my characters... and they dress a certain way to fit their story or personality. Their faceups all have reasons behind them (i.e. My Kill-u's somewhat bruised look, my Shiwoo's particular makeup, my Kiss with his full-body runes). It would be weird for it to be complete coincidence for someone to copy all of those elements together.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it just leaves me feeling a little squirmy and indignant. I see all the copying on DoA... and for that reason, I don't post in the gallery very often.

 

I see elements of my dolls in other peoples but of course that just means we have similar tastes. I dont copy others dolls but I dont mind if other people take inspiration from mine.
For instance a doll I am selling is going to be kept as the same sort of character with the same name, although the reason why I sold it was because I got a 'better' model and now this one will have that character and name, so there will be sort of two versions of the same character on doa. But I dont mind as the new owners interpretation will be different and I would like to see the doll kept with the same face up etc.

 

If I saw another Shiwoo with red hair and arched eyebrows strutting around, I'd probably feel a bit strange about it. Rooster has a very definite, strong personality and style. He is by no means the first - or the last - bad boy Shiwoo, but he's my bad boy, and I'd be able to tell if someone was copying him. And, no doubt, I wouldn't like it.

 

It kind of makes you think, is there anything in the world that could be considered original? Everything's based on something, and following that, nobody owns any idea or concept entirely... you can't really create something from nothing, can you?

...now I'm dizzy.

 

I think it's silly to get upset if someone else's doll has the same name or resembles any of my dolls. After all, there are almost 5000 members on DOA and goodness knows how many dolls. I am influenced by all the things I read or see and I expect everyone else is as well, so it is inevitable that there would be a certain amount of unconscious duplication of ideas. If someone deliberately copied something of mine, I don't think I would mind much; why should I have all the fun? Some people just aren't good at thinking up original ideas. Besides, as someone else pointed out, there's really nothing new under the sun. I have some really great ideas (I think) for future dolls I intend to mod, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if someone else pops up with a similar doll before I manage to get mine done. So, if I go ahead and mod my doll, am I copying that person or just going along with my original concept? I don't think it really matters; just as long as we are having fun.

 

Well at the moment my doll is still incredibly generic (default make-up, clothes, etc), however when I get round to making her some stuff to wear and whatnot I think I'd be pretty flattered if someone wanted to emulate her look.

On the other hand I'm always paranoid of being accused of copying, even when I know I'm not (if that makes any sense! Lol). Just because I know some people are so tetchy about the issue and I'm the sort of person who hates confrontation.

xXx

 

I don't really buy into the idea of 'nothing being original anymore.' It's an old argument, but since every person is unique (I definitely don't believe that people are copies of one another), I think every doll has the potential to be unique. And I believe that people who are copying are actually cheating themselves; they have their own ideas, interests, talents, etc. They should be using those to make their doll their own. While it may be a sort of compliment to the original, the original creator would have a hard time actually taking it that way.

Most of my dolls are very very unique, highly modded. That's my own conceit, anyway. I have to say that I would be (and have been) devastated to see my dolls and their concepts copied elsewhere. As some people above me have stated, it makes me rather un-eager to post in the Gallery. Does that make me paranoid? Probably.

On another selfish note, I like to look at variety in dolls. I don't want to look at copies; I want to be able to look through pictures and even if some dolls are the same sculpt, same hair color, what have you, I want to get a unique feeling from that personality, that owner, that doll. I believe every doll owner is capable of that, and I'm glad to see people stand up for their originality.

 

My boy is going to be a reflection of myself and how I want my kids to grow up (which is one reason why I'm getting him -- you can't really tell how your kids will turn out!), so he'll dress and look like I do, but with a cooler twist.

Since I try my absolute darndest to "copy" (in the words of a few people that really irk me since they SAY I copy.) the visualkei and osharekei fashion, and I know many others do as well, I really can't help it if he looks like someone else's doll - though there will be SEVERAL customizations to him (in wigs and tattoos) that will set him apart from the others.

But as it is, I think I would harbor mixed feelings of slight resentment and feeling honored if someone tried to copy my boy. But since that's neither here nor there, I can't really give a concise answer.

And helene! Your boys are far from gross!!! I love them!

 

Well I don't think i've coppied anyone's style (I could be doing it unconsciously to the Luts site?) And both of my darlings are dolls taht people tend to not take picutes of. So I dunno

 

narins are so uncommon and it's so hard to find clothing for them (there are only a couple designers who make clothes that fit him) that it's inevitable that there will be some overlap in styles...

and yet somehow every single narin i've seen looks so unique. it really hasn't been a problem at all.

i've found that everyone in this hobby are such individuals to start with that they make an effort to reflect that in their dolls.

the only thing i find seedy would be copying someone else's clothing designs and then selling them. otherwise, just enjoy your little lovelies!

 

Hrm, well considering my dollies I like to think are original in some way or another. I've gone to *great* lengths to try and make mine as original as possible. Going as far as having custom wigs made to my own specifications.

I can't say I wouldn't be annoyed if I found a doll exactly like mine. However, I can't say that someone else hasn't had the SAME idea either. Which is why I picked different variations on what I wanted (Like, Naoko (my avy) is based off the manga and anime "DearS".. her hair, is based off Ren with slight variations, and different coloring (to which I believe I'm the only one who's done it?). Nyoko's hair is based off Sailor Moon, but the Odango's are different (my love for sailor moon shines through. heh. And "nono's" are just so PERFECT for "usagi". IMO.).

SO to answer the question (finally), I think I would be upset that someone mimic'd my dollies. More so if their name was even remotely the same. ^_^;; I think it would honestly detour me from wanting to share anything about my dollies. :'( Which would honestly be very very sad. With all the effort you put into making your dolly your *own*.. I think that's what makes people 'upset'. I know it would for me.

 

I suppose I would be bothered by that e__e
Although~ I didn't realize that Hiral would end up looking so much like how Sada's Kera used to look until he arrived! So I was kind of unsure whether I should present him as is, or try to turn him around a bit first ^__^; But..the wig and such fit Hiral's personality so well, any other look didn't feel right >__<;

So in short~ What I mean is that, I would actually find it unique if the 'copying' was unintentional ^__^; I'd actually like to meet the person << Or maybe I'm just weird... /swt

 

I hear that! That's the saddest part, I think, when you realize someone can't or doesn't want to do everything by himself in term of customization and originality. Everyone is so unique, with so many possibilities. So why being afraid of oneself, being unconfident and copying people's dolls when BJD (between others) are such a good way to express oneself?