Hi, I'm someone who doesn't know a lot about rugs, but has learned a lot here. Designs can be copied. What the people who know about rugs look at is the way the knots are tied in, the way the sides are finished, the dyes, the wool (or other materials)...on and on. It takes a lot of time for a beginner to see the differences, but over time it is possible to learn. I've looked at hundreds of photos and read about different rugs, but it doesn't replace the knowledge of touching and seeing the rugs first hand. Rugs are fun to look at and enjoy.