When is it alright to accuse someone of copying your doll/someone else's doll?

It has been said that imitation is a form of flattery.. If someone liked your doll choices so much that they copied them to the best of their ability, would that not make you happy as a trend-setter?

 

Uh...no. I don't create my dolls' characters, faceups and outfits to be a "trend-setter", I do it to have more or less unique dolls/characters that are *mine*. They're not meant to be copied by John or Jane Dollowner down the street because they can't come up with their own ideas. I know someone who's had this happen to her, and it's terribly annoying for her to deal with. The person she's having a problem with pretty much tries to imitate everything she does with her dolls, and I just can't comprehend it. I think that if you like another person's idea, you *can* use some aspects of that idea, but put your own spin on them, don't mindlessly copy the entire thing.

 

If you're going to imitate someone else's work, then at the very least I agree you should put your own spin on it. If you have a doll that looks EXACTLY like someone else's down to clothes/hair/faceup/eyes, then I think that's downright stalkerish and creepy. If it goes to that extreme, then I would definitely be offended.

Otherwise, I hate to say it, but issues like this are delicate and likely have to be handled on a case by case basis.

 

Well, I made a research about it and it turns out that the make up artist didn't want to copy my make ups so she made something different despite of the owner of the heads wanted the make ups to be like mine (though the original idea is still there).
This happened several months ago so there's nothing I can do, but I really appreciate the concern of the make up artist about not copying my work.

 

I'm indifferent about this. If someone "copies" your doll I wouldn't go about saying it or contacting the owner because of one itchy reason: where is your proof? While it can become a large issue, if that person does not claim originality I think it's just another someone who wants to hop onto the train and you really can't change anything. After all, there are people that do that and never go online about it.

 

(All 'you's are general)

I'm on the fence about this. Obviously it is never okay to accuse someone of copying someone else's doll if that someone else was not you, as that's sticking your nose where it doesn't really belong- it's none of your business anyway if person x's doll looks like person y's. If it's your doll in question though...

It would depend on the circumstance really. Do you know the person? Perhaps personally? Do you frequently post photos of the doll? Is the style of the doll common and popular? Is it entirely possible it is a coincidence? I'm definitely a believer in that human nature has a way of following multiple seperate paths only to come to the same conclusion. And with the amount of people on this earth, at least one other person has thought the same thoughts you did. So the idea that two completely different individuals who've never met but have identical dolls isn't that farfetched. At the same time though, there will have been someone who you've never met that saw your doll and decided that that look is now theirs, regardless if you find out or not. In the case that you've never met this person, who's to really say if they did or did not copy your doll? You don't really have much to stand on if all you have is "well they could have seen my photos...", in which case don't post the photos to the internet if that worries you. And that person could at the same time say that they came up with it themselves, even if it isn't true. Not to even mention that a lot of dolls are dressed similarly and as a result often look very similar, and if you choose to dress your doll in something that is really common for that doll that's the chance you take. It isn't really fair though if you've got say an El with long flowing white hair and you start pointing fingers that someone else copied your doll, when there are at least 40 other dolls that look exactly like that and your's was certainly not the first.

If I personally saw another doll on here that looked awfully similar to one of mine, I'd probably chalk it up to coincidence. I wouldn't even waste my time contacting the owner about it. If that person was accusing me of copying... I probably couldn't prove that I didn't, or rather couldn't successfully convince them I didn't, but would stand my ground in that I would not change my doll to suit their needs and would never speak to that person again. (worst case scenario)

What if this person is a friend though? I've heard this happens a lot when someone gets their friend started into the hobby and they tell that friend all of their plans for dollies. The friend in turn then ends up getting a doll that's essentially the same as what the other has or wanted with an awfully similar name. I suppose it's understandable that the friend did that- they saw something that they liked and wanted that too, without giving other possibilities a try because they saw what they liked and had their heart set on that look. Still it'd be pretty dang irritating, and I'd hope my friend would be more original. You know they copied you... But could you say something about it? That's something that if it isn't handled with the upmost care you could potentially lose a very good friend. Of the two scenarios, this is probably the more likely one that you could say something and have proof to back it up but oddly enough I think I'd still let it slide unless the friend decided to copy every single one of mine. Once would be okay, "twinsies" cute, whatever. I could handle that, even if the friend's doll was never a part of my character plan, I could go with it. But having to have all their dolls the exact same as mine is pretty weird... And I'd start to seriously wonder about them.

 

I have 2 dolls that are both very popular and alot of owners dress and customize them almost identically to how I've done mine. I know they didn't copy me, and I sure as hell didn't copy them, just the mutual features they share work for them. And I think that's sometimes the case with others.

But if someone has the same exact sculpt, pair of eyes, wig, fashion sense and personality as one of my dolls and it's quite obvious that their doll is my doll's doppelganger? Well yeah, that would kind of pluck my nerves, but at the same time, I'd be flattered that they liked my doll enough to want to have their own. As long as the person in question isn't going behind me and acting like 'This is Choryung 2! Isn't she pretty?! Isn't she more of a sexy beast than the real Choryung!?' Then, whatever, but even then, what's the point of making the accusation? It won't make you feel any better, or more like a woman [or man for you dudes reading this].

There are a couple instances in which that might be valid though. I have seen people copy others just for the sake of doing it. Like...Joan and Jen are friends. Joan gets a new bjd, and tells Jen about it, then Jen buys one. Joan decides to buy her doll a blue wig and green eyes, so Jen buys a blue wig and green eyes. Joan buys her dollie a pink kimono, and then Jen buys one. And eventually, both women have spent well over a grand on this doll, and Jen complains about Joan making her spend too much money! I think Joan would be well within her right to say 'Well, stop copying what I do for my doll! Make your own decisions!"

Or.....Jen has the nerve to say that Joan has bad taste in bjd wigs and clothing. Joan could say 'You don't have to copy me Jen, jeeze."

If it's not a situation like these...then, as someone said oh so many posts ago, it's just tacky. Someone copies your doll, yeah that sucks, but what are you gonna do? Sodomize the doll into a new look? Sue them for deformation of character? And have you noticed when you make a comment like that to said person, they just kind of do more of the copying just to piss you off? Just take it for what it is and view the doll clone and owner as fans of your work.

 

Honestly, in most of the places where I've seen this accused, I haven't agreed with the owner. If your doll is really, really unique, for example has a very specific tattoo on its face, and a very customized wig, and a very unusual mod, and another doll has all these things and it's too similar to just be coincidence... then fair enough, perhaps then you can come to the conclusion that someone is copying your doll. But only if you have plenty of incontrovertible evidence can you make any accusation. And this is in the vast minority of cases.

In the majority of cases- well, if your doll is fairly generic-looking (even if YOU don't think it is), then it's entirely possible that someone merely drew inspiration from your doll, or simply likes the same style as you. Maybe you have an elegant Lolita doll with black hair. So do loads of people! Maybe you have an El with a Gothic faceup. So does everyone! As I said, unless your doll really is bizarre-looking, or the copyer has copied you in terms of sculpt, faceup, clothes, wig, and eyes... you simply don't have the evidence to come to any conclusions at all.

Accusing someone of copying your doll is, to me, indicative of a bit of egomania. Really, do you think your doll is honestly so special that it has spawned some kind of clone? In a hobby that is dominated by creativity, do you really think someone is so stuck for ideas that they have to copy your doll?

And if it happened to me, as I said, it would have to be totally specific and accurate copying for it to ring any alarm bells. For example, if I saw a dreaming Lishe boy, who'd been blushed green, dressed in Edwardian fashion, with pupil-less eyes and blonde hair, who'd been declared a zombie... only THEN would I get suspicious that someone had copied my doll Clairvius. I doubt I'd be making accusations though. I might even be flattered, and unless I believed that the clone was in some way detracting from the original, I'd let it go. The people posting above are right- accusations of this nature are tacky.

 

I agree with the claim that unless they copy everything /exactly/, there's not much to be worried about
especially considering that people sometimes buy clothes from a company, and anyone can buy that same thing.

There's also things to consider with matching the style of a character, like a bad-boy with piercings and leather clothing, because its such a common thing that you can't pin everyone as a copy cat.

In cases where there's custom clothing or uncommon styles with a doll, unless they copy the entire outfit exactly, it may just be a case of one owner being an inspiration to another, but hopefully the persons original enough to add their own flair to it.

people may also be drawn to sculpts for the same reason, like using a Doll Chateau for one of those uncommon character styles, or a smirky sculpt for a mischievous character

 

It's never ok to claim someone copied you. How many people have bought full sets? Same face up, clothes, eyes. Did they copy you? No, you all just bought a popular doll........As they say "it's all been done."

 

Not at all. I don't get this "zomg my doll was COPIED".
So what? Why do you need to have your doll be the special snowflake only one blah blah blah. Somebody liked your vision enough they wanted it for themselves. I don't think it's being lazy. Not everyone has artistic vision or the ability to create a concept. Just let them have a doll they'll love as much as you love yours!
I'd think it was hilarious and want to do comparison pictures.
I have a doll now who's fairly unique in the DD world and I would't be surprised if somebody Does go out and copy her styling, face-up etc. That's fine with me! The more the merrier. Clone armies of awesome wuld be, well, awesome.
I dunno. I just think it's silly to want to keep everything to yourself. Share your toys!

 

Admirably magnanimous

 

I do think that when someone copy someone it is first a complement and after that it is a sick person. I did not cross someone and hope not to meet that stupid person!!

 

I would think copying would be when they have the same sculpt, same/very similar faceup, same outfit, same eyes, wigs and character story. It wouldn't just be a coincidence if everything was the same. I have times I ask doll owners about their wigs or eyes but that wouldn't be considered copying because there are probably 100's of dolls with the same eyes or wigs.

 

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery... it's obnoxious to hear over and over, but it really is the truth in my experience. I'd say confronting someone about a perceived mimicry in your doll's character or appearance is just never a good idea. It may be a coincidence, it may be because they admire your creativity so much (I can think of a few people whose creativity I would be tempted to channel!), or, worst case scenario, they are doing it to get your goat, so to speak. And if they are, why give them the satisfaction of seeing you all riled up over it? If you must say something, give them a compliment on their doll, perhaps mention that it reminds you of your own, and leave it at that. If they then ask if the similarities bother you, respond honestly. Other than that, best leave it alone.

 

The question is: When is it alright to accuse someone of copying your doll/someone else's doll?

My question is-- What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this act of accusation? I don't mean to belittle the importance of the topic--plagiarism is a serious issue for artists as it is for writers. I just mean that if you're dealing with someone who genuinely has deliberately copied your work, I don't think that the person will be inclined to destroy their work, and you're going to stress yourself out with the ensuing drama, and possibly even have a mini-war on your hands. My best advice (having had customs very heavily "borrowed from") is to enjoy what you've imagined into life, knowing that it is yours, and having a support system of friends who know it is yours as well. I do agree with an earlier poster in the thread that my only serious concern would be that people would think that I am the plagiarist, and I would be interested in any ideas people might have to solve THAT issue.

 

(generic you's and he's)
Very good counter-argument. When you are buying from the same range of sources, it's not at all impossible to discover someone who made the same permutations as yours. Hence the appeal of Limited Editions (although, sometimes, the LE's look identical themselves!).

Now, I imagine this gets more sensitive when you are a crafter. When you take pains to create your own face-up, clothes, mods and identities, seeing a suspiciously similar character does make you jumpy.

But as coveryourdolly says, for what purpose? By accusing the person, do you hope to deter him from "copying" your work? Whether done in public or in private, all this does is create hostility between you two, and even then you are not sure if he will "stop copying" you. Or whether or not he copied you in the first place.

As, a rule, I find it handy to always cite your sources and inspirations when presenting a work as your own. That way you give credit where credit is due, and issues of plagiarism are easily chalked up to coincidence. And when you do find something else's character very similar to yours, leave it alone. Why would someone else's character affect how you enjoy yours?

If ever it blows up to undeniable proportions (because if it is a copycat posing as original, I assure you it will), assume the mantle of benevolence, smile quietly and go on with your life. If you are the original, then you have nothing to fear. The character is your own, you know where to take him/her. And if the fingers start pointing, there's always the date of your posts to prove seniority. :P

Now, it's all right by me if you love someone's character so much you want another one for yourself. I've always regarded the BJD hobby as a Creative Commons sort of thing, anyways: Share freely, but do not use for self-gain. It's quite ridiculous to claim originality when in your heart you know it's not true. On the other hand, stating outright your love for someone else's concept to the point of copying it is flattery (The crafter has a fan now, what's not to like? ^_^)

To those of the "It's my character! Don't copy it!" mindset, I'd like to give attention to the fan fiction community. If the original authors are so caught up with such concerns, then there wouldn't be such a community in the first place. The fact that your character is replicated means that it is a solid, relatable identity and you should be proud of that. It just means you've succeeded. Why worry yourself?

Basically, my answer is: Never shoot first. Don't assume. Leave it alone.

 

I think, even if you aim to copy someone's doll to some extent, you still probably will put your own spin on it even if you didn't go out with that intent.

 

Unless we're speaking of copying modifications, or original work, it's not a big deal. If a doll came my way wearing the same company outfit, wig, ect, I'd shrug because their face-ups would distinguish them.

 

I chose to make myself a Luka Megurine DD from the "Just be Friends" video on youtube. The reason I chose her is 1. I absolutely LOVE Luka, but also, because as far as I could tell, no one had yet done it, or there wasn't a well known Luka JBF DD.

If someone was to create themselves a Luka JBF doll, I'd feel like a little bit of my originality for my doll is lost, but at the same time, I've taken on a very popular character, and should expect something like that to happen. I couldn't be angry/upset at the person. Also, they could be friends in theory :P

Sometimes, you just need to remind yourself everythings been done, and if you create something, you're likely to see things that are influenced by styles like yours. I know a lot of us started our dolls because we saw what other people had!

But... if you find someone who has DIRECTLY taken every step to steal your own original ideas, I think you have the right to be upset! >