@thomashwk in THIS industry, no company can exist without stolen ideas. - Prolific Programmer from IM

I took a photo of a sunset at the Sutro Baths on November 8th. There were dozens of other photographers there. Am I going to sue them for taking my idea of being at that spot to photograph the sunset? Ideas are not subject to copyright. Everybody is inspired by the work of others, and imitates that work to a greater or lesser degree. - Jeremy Brooks

@jeremybrooks you could try to sue - Prolific Programmer from IM

I'm not so sure that you can copyright an idea, you might be able to patent one though - Davis Freeberg

I would just be flattered that someone like Beck recognized something I had done. At least it wasn't a commercial for some cheesy product. I actually though it was a cool video. - Davis Freeberg

It remains to be seen whether or not you can patent an idea, but we should have a legal decision on Bilski any day now that should help to answer this question. - Davis Freeberg

I believe everyone above is correct. You can not copyright an idea. You can patent a process or design, but neither of those apply here. 'Ripoffs' of ideas happen legally every day. Wierd Al, does it all of the time, while i understand that he gets permission or even collaborates with most of the artists he parodies, I don't believe he actually has to get their permission to parrody them. - Jeff P. Henderson

To me this just seems one step removed from what Kutiman's been doing (http://thru-you.com)... except they're using actors to "re-enact" each clip/scene. I really can't convince myself there's anything wrong with it. - Ken Sheppardson

Not a violation, unless 9th district over-rules it - imran