Well, technically, when we post things on sites like this one, it becomes public domain. Unless we sign our entries with our real names, there really isn't a way to enforce any kind of copyright beyond the honor system. Then again, I'm no expert on copyright law, so I may be dead wrong.
In any case, we've all taken cues from other sources, though we try to change enough details so we're not completely ripping off someone else's idea. And sometimes, the copying is actually part of the fun, but that's another thing entirely. Personally, if I feel I'm copying off someone very closely, I add a little footnote or head note saying something like: *Inspired by *
Were there any particular stories you had in mind?
