Toronto designer accuses cemetery of copyright infringement

It seems that artists are constantly trying to protect what is rightfully theirs and I applaud this Toronto woman for doing so. Time and time again we see BIG TIME celebrities suing for millions over a copied song where the financial gain can only add not only to their pockets but in the interest of satisfying their egos.

However, this story, not to simplify it, is a greiving daugther tributing her mother in the best way she knows how...through her art. She wanted it unique and unlike any other. It mentions she is a designer by trade, so Im confident she is aware of Canadian Copyright laws. To question that is highly offensive. I applaud her for standing her ground and protecting her art.

As a motherless daughter myself, we all stand behind you. Good luck.

As someone who has lost a loved one, I find the cemetery's actions and response disgusting. Ms. Abanil obviously put a lot of thought into creating the tombstone and it seems the cemetery was underhanded in not approaching her about using her design. The law professors are correct in citing the combination and depiction of the common motifs as a whole can be copyrighted.
I'm sorry to say I'm not surprised the Archdiocese is backing the cemetery. It seems they are more concerned with how they can profit off this young lady's loss than help her.
This case resonates with everyone and I'm glad the star has brought it to light and I hope there is a follow up story about how this unfolds.

"Catholic" Cemetery contradicting everything Catholics stand for. What an embarrassment. I hope this girl wins against them.

Copyright or not, it seems to come down to this.
The Cemetery took a special piece designed by someone for her mom. because they liked it so much, they felt they can add it to there own collection and sell it to other families for a profit.
Throwing in legal ownership the flower motif, these are just BS. Because even if the cemetery have a collection of those lose motifs, they did not / could not come up with the composition Ms. Abanil did for her mom. That makes this piece "hers". It's like saying Catholic church owns the "Cross" motif, and ALL things designed with a cross is own by them. Doesn't even make sense.
At the end of the day, while they hope nobody will ever found out, they are now busted, and trying to BS their way out of all legal and media exposures.
Shame. On the person who decided to do this at this first place base on greed.
Personally I doubt the people running the cemetery are businessman and not even Catholic; however, the Catholic community should response to avoid further negative exposure to add on recent scandals.

While many traditional tombstone designs are found everywhere, the uniqueness in Ms. Abanil'a design reflects her creative expression to honour her mother, as such, it should not be copied by anyone without her permission. Of course, Catholic semeteries are a business entities, and are so interested in profit. However, if they really want, they can achieve their business goals easily with consideration and respect to someones designs. I'm sure a mutual agreement can avoid all the nonsense this has created.

Catholic cemetery stole someone's design, making profit out of it, got found out, now lying about it turning the story around, AND insulted the designer's "skill and judgement"
Please- Practice what you preach.

I was raised a Catholic my entire life, being taught time and time again to treat each other fairly and justly. Is this fair and just? Absolutely not! The Archdiocese have made profit off of the Abanil family, a family grieving over a lost loved one. To donate $1000 to a charity 'subject to their approval'... and the tombstone cost $5000!! What a joke.

Pass around the collection plate again!

hello