diff --git a/doors_and_gates.lua b/doors_and_gates.lua
index 0f57df2..3bb8542 100644
--- a/doors_and_gates.lua
+++ b/doors_and_gates.lua
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ for i in ipairs(gates_list) do
 	minetest.register_node("homedecor:gate_"..gate.."_closed", def)
 
     -- this is either a terrible idea or a great one
-    def = table.copy(def)
+    def = homedecor.table_copy(def)
     def.groups.not_in_creative_inventory = 1
     def.selection_box.fixed = { 0.4, -0.5, -0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 }
     def.tiles = {
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index f9497d0..c0a5ca4 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -29,18 +29,36 @@ else
 end
 homedecor.gettext = S
 
+-- debug
+
 local dbg = function(s)
 	if homedecor.debug == 1 then
 		print('[HomeDecor] ' .. s)
 	end
 end
 
+-- infinite stacks
+
 if minetest.get_modpath("unified_inventory") or not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
 	homedecor.expect_infinite_stacks = false
 else
 	homedecor.expect_infinite_stacks = true
 end
 
+--table copy
+
+function homedecor.table_copy(t)
+    local nt = { };
+    for k, v in pairs(t) do
+        if type(v) == "table" then
+            nt[k] = homedecor.table_copy(v)
+        else
+            nt[k] = v
+        end
+    end
+    return nt
+end
+
 dofile(homedecor.modpath.."/ownership.lua")
 dofile(homedecor.modpath.."/lib_6d.lua")
 
diff --git a/signs_lib.lua b/signs_lib.lua
index 9c4b449..38dc47f 100644
--- a/signs_lib.lua
+++ b/signs_lib.lua
@@ -288,18 +288,6 @@ local function make_line_texture(line, lineno)
 	return table.concat(texture, ""), lineno
 end
 
-local function copy ( t )
-    local nt = { };
-    for k, v in pairs(t) do
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            nt[k] = copy(v)
-        else
-            nt[k] = v
-        end
-    end
-    return nt
-end
-
 local function make_sign_texture(lines)
 	local texture = { ("[combine:%dx%d"):format(SIGN_WIDTH, LINE_HEIGHT * NUMBER_OF_LINES * LINE_SEP) }
 	local lineno = 0
@@ -594,8 +582,8 @@ function homedecor.register_fence_with_sign(fencename, fencewithsignname)
         minetest.log("warning", "[homedecor] Attempt to register unknown node as fence")
         return
     end
-    def = copy(def)
-    def_sign = copy(def_sign)
+    def = homedecor.table_copy(def)
+    def_sign = homedecor.table_copy(def_sign)
     fences_with_sign[fencename] = fencewithsignname
 
     def.on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, ...)