May 30
Is imitation the best form of flattery? Or is imitation combined with acknowledgement of the source of the inspiration a better form of flattery? It seems to me that the former is probably the best form of plagiarism. 
I will explain later, but looking for your opinions. Comment ahoy.
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Imitation is flattery. As my Dad always says: “There is nothing new under the sun.”
It depends; something may be called imitation by some, but duplication or replication by others. If we are, in fact, specifically talking about imitation, it would also depend on whether or not the imitated creation was claimed to have been an original idea, thus classifying it as copying.
In other words, I can imitate your style of comics, but if I say that it was my completely original idea and creation, it would be plagiarism unless I gave you credit.
Presumably this is related to the below article, which claims that the _Da Vinci Code_ film rips off the _Star Wars_ series?
In that specific, and similar, instances, I wouldn’t even term it imitation. Star Wars isn’t original either, after all, it cribs its themes from far older stories. I’d be more comfortable with the term “parallel inspiration” instead. The DaVinci Code’s story, while itself fictional, does draw many of its major concepts from actual theories regarding the pertinent subject matter (Jesus, Mary Magdelane, the Holy Grail, the Templars, etc), all of which are more than a little older than George Lucas.
Having similar thematic elements to an existing story isn’t theft, or plagiarism. There’s only so many basic story concepts out there that are compelling, when you get right down to it, and the same is true of underlying character archetypes. The connections that article draws between the two are nowhere near strong enough to warrant accusations of plagiarism.
On the other hand, if this is in reference to something else more blatant, that’s another matter. The line between inspiration and plagiarism can be a fuzzy one sometimes, so its hard to say without more data which a given instance is.
Its not about that…I am trying not to create a web-comic artist war, so I am keeping it on the down low.
RAWR! Grab yer torch an pitch ferks! We have er selves ah wer un er hends! Teh erms! Teh ERMS!
sorry….it’s not my fault. I’ve been trying to figure out
Lyca.com
well, technically, it’s not plagarism to even use a well known character like mickey mouse for parody… so, if some even stole one of your jokes, so long as it is only one, it’s probably parody… this could also apply to style… or characters… but you don’t do running characters… however, if the comic continually uses jokes and/or your style (or art, whatever) then it could be plagerism… if it is an ameture, the artist probably does not realize it is plagarism and mentioning it would not start a war… well, if it is imitation because of flattery that is… at least, that would be my take on it
Ah, so someone copied your work Scott? Or are you the one who is plagiarising? I’m guessing it’s the former, but it’s perfectly possible for the latter. I know of another comic that inadvertently used a joke published by Dilbert a couple of years beforehand.
As for the whole debate, if it is imitation, it should be acknowledged what the inspiration was. All it takes is a statement that it’s a tribute to so-and-so. Otherwise you’re walking a very fine line.
@Icedude
Yes, that’s true. But how do you define well-known. And Disney could still technically sue you for using Mickey Mouse, but as long as you don’t profit from it they probably won’t care. In this case, it appears another webcomic imitated Scott. If there is a Paypal account link on the front page asking for donations, I think that technically could prove financial gain from the imitation. If that’s the case (and it might very well not be) then not acknowledging the original work is wrong. Like I said above, all it takes is a statement that it’s a tribute, nothing more in this case.
I think that, as my tax teacher always said, the answer to this and every other question is “It depends”.
If I start imitating your behavior (especially if you happen to like the way you behave) then yes, its fantastic flattery and I can’t think of many things that would be better recieved. Bowing down and paying tribute in gold is better, but it isn’t the most efficient.
If I start imitating your behavior, and you can’t stand people that act like you do, then no, it isn’t the best form of flattery, and is in fact going to make you angry and irritable.
Um, so yeah, I guess it probably IS better to have some inspiration and then point out “I was inspired to do this because of such and such”, because otherwise the 3rd person in the equation is going to see two assholes that are very pleased with each other or something
To a degree, would be my answer.
It’s like if someone were to say Scott was his or her inspiration for doing a web-comic. Sure, there would be similarities natually, as they are to imitate their source of inspiration, but as long as they have their own original idea, the “imitation is flattery” can still stand without it turning into flat-out plagarism.
to Taellosse: If you’re going to say nothing is original because star wars did it, then maybe you should take a look at Greek mythology. Every story can be referenced or paralleled to Greek mythology, whether on purpose or not.
then again, if you have a good imagination, anything can be linked to anything :/
Hey! Now I know where you came from, ZaXorZ! I’m going to accept your friend request now!
If you are honest on which things you inspired yourself, than yes it is.
Very cool responses folks. Always seem to get thoughtful responses from the EL peeps.
It would be great if the person that copies you cited the source. If that does not happens then we should go to war.
Exactly, Gambitognarf. I would be fine if he mentions that it wasn’t his idea. I personally would be flattered if I was Scott, but -and pay attention, I want to be CLEAR- ONLY if he payed me the respect of giving me credit (me, in this hypothetical scenario, being Scott).
Otherwise, just like Gambit’ said; war be a comin’.
‘
War? Are you people crazy?
Anyway, what would you do? Unnplug his server?
I used to be a huge copyright freak. “I created it. It’s mine! MINE!”. As the years have progressed I’ve seemed to flow more into Negativland’s camp.
They basically believe copyright is an outdated dinosaur. Sort of the “people in the know will know the origin.” It’s hard for me to fully commit to the whole ethos since they’re ok with people taking their art and making money off of it (like Eminem did on one of his songs).
I guess that’s one of the last remnants of capitalism I can’t shake.
Naw, probably just b**ch about it for a couple of days
That was censored by myself, and directed at velt BTW
ok…I appreciate the feedback. I knew I would get good responses on the topic, one I find interesting from time to time.
Sometimes, ideas are just ripe and get picked by different people who don’t know of each other.
For most artists, imitation is the starting point of their artistic development – I guess most of us copied superheroes out of a comic book at least once. Sooner or later, pure imitation will get boring and the imitator will change his/her style (this generalization is probably put to a test by people who work like Greg Dean).
Even false pretense of the imitator and his/her getting rich and famous with other people’s ideas/style is not much of a problem for the original creator, since methods exist today that can exactly analyze where people have stolen their stuff… Just lean back and watch their wealth grow, THEN sue.
This is a tricky one. One of the troubles (and also nice things) about the Internet these days is it is kind of a free-for-all. People blog from sources all over, videos are up on YouTube that are copywrited material, etc. Many times the key thing is you giving it away for free (web cartoons) or charging $0.99 for a song on iTunes you did. The “pros” seem to have both the money and resources to go after you. But others aren’t so well protected. In any case, stealing is still stealing.
Imitation is complete flattery. Essentially what they’re saying is that you do it so well, they are trying to find the same magic you portray. Granted, plagerism is still flattery even though it is essentially the same thing, but plagerism is a bit more. It is an attempt to take exactly what you have done and take credit for it for their own personal game.
If there is an imitator style, understandable. Be flattered and don’t worry about it. If they are taking your ideas and trying to market them for financial gain, be pissed.
If this is purely about style issues, thank them for their interest in you and leave it alone.
As you know, Scott, the cream always rises to the top in the art world. You can fake it for only so long. Those with talent will endure. Those without drop off really fast and no one remembers them.
Depends.
If someone does something kinda “like” what you doing is one thing. Now when someone basically flat-out copies you in every way then, yes it is a massive ripoff.
i wonder if scott knows CAD did his diary of a cartoonist thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBIP3oFYpA8
to ZaXorZ, though that was a ways back:
You may want to re-read my comment. That was kind of my point. Possibly I failed to convey that effectively.
But it appears I was off-base, in that Scott was asking about something else. As I said previously, its a hard thing to call without a concrete example. Not knowing who is being inspired by/plagiarising you, Scott, I couldn’t really make a judgement on it one way or the other.
yeah that’s what his was all about