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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be pissed off that my "unique" tattoo is showing up all over the place?

216 replies

starshaker · 06/05/2015 20:14

A few years ago I went searching for my perfect tattoo. I spent a lot of time looking for somebody who's drawing style I loved. Turns out the guy was in the USA but we spoke over skype and he came up with a design that I loved. He emailed the image and I found the tattooist I wanted to put it on my skin.

Anyway now, a couple of years on I keep seeing it popping up on the net. AIBU to be pissed that my tattoo is being copied

OP posts:
Bearbehind · 06/05/2015 20:41

But who posted the photo of your arm on the Internet- it's not just a snap- it has been posed for so either you or your tatto artist has put it online so you can't expect it to remain exclusive to you.

Original poster
starshaker · 06/05/2015 20:41

eyebags thats your opinion. Im guessing your not a tattoo lover.

My tattoos are normally freehanded but this is 1 that meant something to me and I needed to see it on paper first

OP posts:
NoArmaniNoPunani · 06/05/2015 20:42

It's never a good idea to post on MN about tattoos. People here are right judgey twats about them. Fwiw I think your tattoo is lovely.

Original poster
starshaker · 06/05/2015 20:43

bear that posed photo is my photo that is on my phone.

OP posts:
dustarr73 · 06/05/2015 20:44

Watercolour tattoos are all the rage at the minute.I would be prepared to see many more of it,sometime soon.It is very lovely though.

comingintomyown · 06/05/2015 20:44

So is it like walking into a room and someone is wearing the same dress as you ?

How did you realise someone else had the same one ?

Littlef00t · 06/05/2015 20:45

No yanbu. I bet the designer and tattooist are hacked off. You don't copyright art, it's something else but just as valid. Having poor copies of yours everywhere is diminishing the value of the original, just like bad copies of actual canvas artwork.

Stanky · 06/05/2015 20:45

I showed a picture of a leopard tattoo to a highly recommended tattoo artist, but he refused to do it, as he will never tattoo the same image someone else already has. I just thought that they all lived by this tattoo artist code.

Bearbehind · 06/05/2015 20:45

It can't just miraculously get from your phone onto the Internet- you must have made it public somehow which is why this issue has occurred.

I still think you should be flattered rather than annoyed.

ragged · 06/05/2015 20:46

There's quite a bit to read if you google for copyright on tattoo designs. (who knew?)

madreloco · 06/05/2015 20:46

Google Images has countless pics under "watercolour poppy tattoo", lots of them very like yours A couple of them identical. Your "design" was never unique, were you really expecting there to be nothing else like it?

CornwallsFinest · 06/05/2015 20:46

That's beautiful!

Whatabout · 06/05/2015 20:47

I have a massive back piece and if I saw someone else with similar they'd get a high five. Just move on.

AuntyMag10 · 06/05/2015 20:47

Honestly op I don't think people really notice details when looking at tattoos.

lougle · 06/05/2015 20:48

The copyright would lie with the artist, even if you made suggestions, unless he specifically signed it over to you, surely?

Original poster
starshaker · 06/05/2015 20:48

It is on my arm. It has been seen in public. The first copy was seen by my friend on a local tattooists page then I saw it on another tattoo page and tonight I saw it on google

OP posts:
kinkyfuckery · 06/05/2015 20:48

I just still don't get it though - what's all the squiggles??

soontobemumofthree · 06/05/2015 20:49

YABU. Stop searching for it on the internet.
Either you like your tattoo, or the uniqueness is the most important thing.
If you like it, be happy.
If you want it to be unique, get it changed, and get the tattoist to sign a document to say he/she will never tell anyone about it and don't post your tattoo on FB or show it to other people.

PacificDogwood · 06/05/2015 20:50

You tattoo is unique because it's on your arm.

If you love it, love it, and stop looking out for other people with similar designs.

PacificDogwood · 06/05/2015 20:51

Your

kinkyfuckery · 06/05/2015 20:51

Stanky Good artists won't want to do a replicate of someone else's work. My latest one is a combination of two existing tattoos that we worked with to make it right for me.
Unfortunately, a lot of tattoo artists aren't good!

FelixFelix · 06/05/2015 20:51

I find it bizarre that a tattooist would agree to tattoo someone else's design.

Blueskybrightstar · 06/05/2015 20:52

Can't believe some people are slagging off the OPs tattoo. So frikkin nasty and rude.

CornwallsFinest · 06/05/2015 20:53

I've also been after a watercolour tattoo for over 3 years ago, maybe you had it when it first became popular? They weren't when I started my pin board sad but are more commonplace now.

ComposHatComesBack · 06/05/2015 20:53

Without wishing to sound cruel, either your ideas or the designer's ideas aren't as unique as you thought. We are all susceptible to subliminally absorbing ideas and images that are knocking around.