Okay, I am going to jump right in here with my two-cents worth and hopefully not offend most of the fractal-flame community! Here is how I see it!
The only person who ever created 'original' flames is Mark Townsend! He created the Apophysis program! I have yet to see anyone give him credit! Every image we 'create' is from what he originally did!
Honestly, to me if someone requests that we give them credit for the starter flames they provide, I think it is the courteous thing to do! However, if the starter is just that, a 'starter' a foundation on which to build a different flame image, then to me the person who is generating a lot of comments added their own flair, their own unique ability to change that starter, to make it 'their own'.

When I send starter flames to people I ask them to change the image by using the x-forms, and the gradient, to in effect make it their own and I don't ask for acknowledgement.
We are all individuals, we all have different talents, different ideas and beliefs of what beauty, what 'art' is. I don't want my art to look like anyone elses, however because we use the same program Apophysis, we can come up with some of the same parameters on our own that other people have too! I have seen identical images to some of mine. The only difference was the gradient was different! That is a mathematical possibility, after all!
I think it is a shame that something like this is causing hurt feelings among any of these great and creative artists!
'Nuff said?
Leanndra