Tattoo Copycats?

Question

Why is it that when ever someone sees a tattoo they like, they have to copy it? I mean how many superman logo, nautical stars, and Asian symbol tattoos are out there? Why can't people just get their own ideas of a tattoo instead of coping others? I had designed a perfect tattoo for myself, that had alot of meaning to me and I showed it to a few of my friends and family. I just found out last night that one of my so called friends stole the design and had it tattooed on them. His reason, as he claims, was so we could have matching tattoos. He showed it to a few of his buddies and now all of them are getting it tattooed on them as well. Do you think this is wrong? I mean he didn't even ask me if he could use it. And now I'm afraid that my design, which I made so I wouldn't have the same tattoo as someone else, is now going to become the next superman logo or something. Is it wrong for me to be mad? What are your thoughts on this matter?

I showed them the finished tattoo. And some how he found the design in my room when I wasn't home.

I've tried thinking of ways to change mine, like adding or covering up something, but they all ruin the meanings behind it. I put a ton of meanings into this one tattoo design. The only person who knows the real meanings behind all the detail is my tattoo artist because he asked me what everything ment when he was tattooing me.

It was on my skin and it was the carbon copy that he stole. His looks exactly like mine.

I didn't mean to put people down or to offend anyone. I was just making a point about how everyone gets the same tattoo. What's the point of expressing ourselves with tattoos if we all get the same one?

Answer 1

I register my original art with the patent and trademark office - you can sue someone for stealing your art. It is a shame it has to come down to this but it happens all the time.

Just recently one of the artists in my studio had someone steal a really nice tattoo design he put up on MySpace. AFTER she asked about it and he told her he would be happy to design her something similar, but that was custom work for another client.

She brought the picture to some scratcher and her tattoo looks like s***.

Sorry that happened to you.

Answer 2

I have mixed thoughts about this, on the one hand I'd be flattered that someone thought my design was good enough to use, but on the other if I'd told this person that I designed it only for me and they went ahead and used it without permission then I'd be narked to say the least. I'd also be a little freaked over the wanting matching tattoos thing.

In your case I'd be very worried that they were able to access your room and had been snooping through your belongings - what else of yours have they taken? was this the first time they've taken something from some?
If he used the same tattoo shop I'd take your design back to them, explain that it has been stolen and is being used without your permission and your copyright infringed - that you request they refuse further tattoos using it as you are enforcing your interlectual property rights.

I have one design which I based on someone elses because I liked the basic overall shape (it's a sun) but my actual tattoo is unique to me - then again there is only a finite number of things you can do with a sun.

Answer 3

As a tattoo artest i can tell you one simple rule do not show your design to any one until it is done! Then ask your tattoo artest to give you the carbon copy for a keepsake. If then your mates still want the same design, they have to ask the tattooer to make one. This is not easy as it sounds, as your Friends will not be able to explain it exactly, and will most likely end up with something totally different. Or they will have to pay to have it drawn up, most people wont pay for that unless it means something to them. so keep it to yourself until its in the skin> Or go see you Tattoo Artest they might have some idears about what would work you you while keeping it true to your feelings.


And don't blame us if people all want a symbol they cant read

Answer 4

well It is your work and they should ask you if its ok to use it. that in mind your tattoo is still better than theres even if it's the exactly the same, because it has importance to you and was created from your imagination.

well he already has it you have a couple of choices One make a new one and don't show him. Two be pissed at him for as long as he has the tattoo, aka forever. Three be flattered that he enjoyed your work and have him pay you for using your artistic view on his body, and revise the work do make it unique for your body.

I like the third one.

every tattoo is different for each person because it has a different meaning. His tattoo you made shows that he is a jerk taking yours just for the look of it, while if it was on you shows a true meaning.

I design my tattoo and would be really pissed if some one took the idea because I would mean **** for them and have no meaning.

best of luck!

Answer 5

Ken E:"Someone recently said that he always tried to pull women with tattoos. The reason was it demonstrated that they were capable of making at least one mistake they'd regret later"

Your friend sounds like a moron!

It is true that there are more followers than leaders, but it sounds a bit wierd that someone would copy a tattoo exactly without permission. Is this bloke some kind of obsessive? And these other people - do none of them think for themselves?

Answer 6

How rude. I would be so angry as well. I designed a tattoo for myself and have had many compliments on it, but if someone asked if they could copy it I would ask them to change it, the style, the colours, make it mean something to them.

As for people getting Asian symbols, stars etc I don't think you can put people down for it, it probably holds as much meaning for them as your self designed one does for you.

Answer 7

It's just them being obsessivly stupid. People nowadays don't know how to be original,and if they do they're too scared to show it. I would never want a copycat tatoo because have you seen how celebrity crash? Like say Britney Spears gets a tatoo of a purple wig on her butt & then you just go out and get one too. then you stop listening to her and regret the tatoo and then you see her 2 years later with her head shaven. Smart idea,person. XDD! Yeah well that's my opinion on this whole thing.

Answer 8

next time u design a tattoo keep it to yourself to prevent someone copying or stealing it and get it done asap. i thought it was wrong to steal someones design for themselves on the other hand they could have thought it a form of flattery (but may gone wrong). i would be ticked off if someone copied or used my art or designs without asking. i would ask him why he got it done if the design had no meaning to him then tell him that it has no meaning to u since he's the one who got it.

Answer 9

All of my tattoos are my original designs and I'm now copyrighting them because I found my dragon/goat head that is on my right calf on a sweatshirt about a month ago. There was only one picture of it on the internet and some company stole my design and is now making a profit off of it.

My attorney is loving this one :)

Answer 10

Check out www.youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com
they have an open blog where you can post stories of people stealing your art, and you can read others stories and what they did in response.

And you absolutely should be mad. What an awful friend. If he entered your room and stole your drawing, who knows what else he is capable of. Drop him.