Tattoo Design For Girl

Question:
I've been having a bit of distress concerning this, so I figured I'd ask how everyone else would feel about it. I have a tattoo backpiece across my shoulders that I designed myself. My tattooist (without my asking) assured me that she only takes custom work, and would never replicate a design. So... the other day, I'm walking down my block, and I see this girl with a *total* copy of my tattoo. First reaction: shock 2nd reaction: anger. wanted to go scream at her and threaten to cut it off her. And call my tattooist and yell at her. then I recalled that a picture of me, with tattoo visible, was published in a widely circulated book not so long ago. So most likely this chick had it copied from that. So I was kind of flattered that someone would like my design enough to live with it forever/ amused that I've got some little "follower" out there. But still, I've got this nagging feeling that, "it's mine, goddammit!" so... just wondering. How would you feel?

Answer:
- My first recent tattoo was a definite copy. I took the picture from a magazine and asked my tattoo artist to trace it and tattoo it. He acted funny, and I couldn't figure out why, but now I know. Now that I'm more enlightened, I guess I think that if the piece is something small that can be incorporated as part of a larger design, then it's not so bad. I *would* feel funny if I saw someone with a major body piece exactly like my own. I suppose it's like feeling a little bit pregnant, but, that's the way I feel. - I've thought about this often. I have several original designs, one of which has been published in an international mag, and another which is posted on both my own website and that of my artist. I trust my artist implicitly to not do the work on someone else. However, there is nothing to keep people from copying it out of a mag or of the web. I think I would be rather angered by it. I have thought about the prospect of sueing for copywrite infringement *That* would be an interesting case. I, however, set myself up for the possibility by allowing my work to be published. I would confront the person and let them know that they stole the design--just to let them know that what they did was wrong, and that I know that they've done it. I might also try to find out who did their work and confront the artist. Any artist that will take obviously custom work from a mag and put it on someone else is a theif in my book. I'd certainly let it be known to everyone that the artist was copying custom work. Word of mouth can do wonders--especially with a forum such as RAB at our disposal. - I had a client come in last week with tattoo magazines in hand showing me the tattoos he wanted. I explained to him that theese tattoos belonged to someone else and I would not copy them. But I would use them as an idea sparker for his very own custom piece. We've already begun the sleeve and says he's much happier that we didn't copy. Unfortunately when artists do great custom work, many don't want to send in the photos to magizines because of "copy cats". Usually the copy is far inferior to the original because if the "copy cat" could draw/tattoo well in the first place they wouldn't need to copy.