Animation Source Forums

Last time there are a lot of comments on new characters saying "It looks like [insert a character here]". Seriously people, stop it!
There are a lot of commonly-used markings(colored legs, ears, tail tip, back etc.) and there are limited amount of colours and markings(if you don't want your char to be an extreme sparkle). There is no need to point out that one simple character looks like another simple character, especially to new members. It's really discouraging when you come to the site and you are wrongly accused for thievery at start... There is a difference between coincidence and intention and it's often easy to say if similar character design was intended or not, so again, stop accusing everyone to steal your designs when they don't.
I can feel that anyone will support me in the case of real character thievery now -_-

I agree with you to a certain extent. People who randomly stumble upon another person's gallery and see a slight similar character and go 'You copied this person's character!' are wrongly accusing. There are, however, those people who do have something to do with that other persona and are not random at all. I won't be mentioning any names, but it happened a while ago where a friend of mine was asked to help this member make a character, but she never really answered. In turn, the other person made a character with the same concept, colors, and unique physical traits (such as a supernatural abilities and certain body proportions). They had seen the character and although it was not exactly the same, it was obvious who it was fashioned after.

In my opinion, it may be a coincidence with some members, but a lot of others are not as creative. So, in short, if the members have had no contact beforehand, then yes, I agree with you. Now, if the members have had some sort of contact like the example mentioned above, or they have talked before, then it might be obvious who they stole or 'slightly copied' the character from.

If someone thinks a character looks too much like another, like you said, it doesn't mean it was stolen. If if bothers them so much, instead of starting fights in the comments, let the 'original' owner know. And if it bothers THEM, THEY can politely ask for changes. Don't make it public, because then you risk getting warnings/ban for starting fights and harassing.

Most of the time the person doesn't even know. Especially if their new, they're not going to know what everyone's character looks like. There are hundreds on the sites now. Just be nice and don't jump to conclusions so quick.

Another reason to not say one character looks like another, is because most artists don't want to hear it. I know I don't. It's incredibly annoying and insulting at times.