The Art of Bonsai Project

Understanding that we are comparing art forms there is another issue here that some of us are familiar with, that of intellectual property. If I publish a work of literature as my own but it has been mostly, totally, or in part copied from some other's work then I am guilty of plagiarism. Is this a stretch in this case-------? I wonder? Legally there may not be a case for a law suit but morally there is a comparison that is awful hard to get around.

Maybe this is a stupid question, after reading through some of all these contributions. But why is this subject interesting?
It is not discussing the art of bonsai much, but focusing much on the ego?s behind I think. That is not interesting.
It should be about bonsai instead, and not about who had the hands on a bonsai the last time.
Bonsai is art. What is interesting is what is produced, and not so much who produced it, without demeaning the artist stating this.
Kind regards
Morten Albek

Well I guess this would be a prime example of what's being discussed here. This JBP is my latest acquisition to my collection. All of my trees in my collection were purchased at bonsai nurseries through out the years, since I don't have any place to do any collecting. They were purchased though with every intention of redoing their appearence, and with that in mind I never considered anyone other than myself being the artist.
It is all together different with this tree though, since I have no plans whatsoever to change its appearence. That being said, I still plan on entering the tree in contests, but only to limited contests where the tree will be judged as Colin noted, and not the artist. No matter how long I have this tree and how ever many years I pluck needles from it and feed it, and the hours I will spend on it rewiring it, I will never be able to take credit for being the artist. For that I do feel somewhat bad because this will probably be my favorite tree in my collection, and none of it being my own work or creation as you would say. The price you pay for having a beautiful work of art I guess.