Imitation at its best.

[Michaela Schuett]

Okay, i'm not going to say too much other than relaying the facts.

I work at Alive - and i'm not taking credit for the idea of this image, I just put the text & logo on the photo. (Will Shilling took the picture. He deserves the credit. That's Nathan Schivley's arm and i'd give you the name of the tattoo artist, but I don't remember.)

Columbus Alive (my paper) ran their cover for "Best Of" Feb 15, 2007. The Other Paper (also popular in Columbus) ran their cover for "Top Picks" July 24, 2008. Same topic, same cover story, SAME TATTOO PARLOR (probably even same tattoo artist) more than a year later.






I think what confuses me the most is how someone who considers themself to be a professional could even do such a thing. I know we all sample ideas from others - and think as a group we're more than happy to share and give ideas - but to me, this crosses a line.

How does everyone else feel on the subject?

[Amy Hynds]

Although it's flattering that they used the same idea, The Other Paper should have modified the tattoo idea to make it their own. Readers aren't dumb, they know when they've seen something like this before. Instead of being upset, you should thank The OP for driving readers to your product which features more original stories, artwork and ideas.

[Clay Sisk]

I totally agree with how you feel. And you SHOULD feel that way. Their version is not only a rip-off...but a sad one at that. It only makes yours look a million times better. Theirs was DOA before ink was set.

[Michaela Schuett]

really, I should add that I personally don't feel "violated" so to speak (like i said, it wasn't my idea) ... I'm just wondering where do you guys out there draw the line? Would you do that? How would you change it to make it different?

[Amy Hynds]

Why did they duplicate the tattoo on a guy's arm? Perhaps a lower back or belly shot of a girl would have been a better twist on your idea.

[Yuri]

It's not exactly an second-level idea. I did the same thing in 2005. I probably stole the idea from somewhere and certainly know I have seen it since on the lower back, bicep, stomach, hand and more.