Is it inspiration or theft?

I recently began thinking about the difference between using ideas as inspiration versus concept theft. How close to similar is too close? So where is the line? Is there a line? Does it get too close when we start to solicit the possible group that was interested in the first concept to the new similar work?

First, let’s look at a common definition of intellectual theft; “Intellectual theft is stealing or using without permission someone else’s intellectual property. Intellectual property is any creative or commercial innovation, any new method that has economic value, or any distinctive mark which might include a name, symbol, or logo that’s used in commercial practices.” What if a creative concept has economic value but is put out there to help others? Now it appears it is more of a moral or ethical issue.

In reality, there is probably little that is done today art-wise that hasn’t been done to some extent in the past. I’ve used works done previously as inspiration when I wanted to do a project and looked to work done by others in the past to build a mood board and examples. I have always thought I put my own spin on the final projects but did I really? For me, this is an interesting quagmire. Is there an answer? Does it matter? Does it make a difference if I know the person whose idea or concept I am wanting to use and ask, “Hey! Do you mind if I give your idea or concept a try?” What if I don’t know the person but the idea was put out there and I just stumbled across it?

This is definitely something I am going to have to give more thought to.