WHEW!!! More questions than answers. I will have to call my cousin, the corporate lawyer... you know, the smart one. I got all the good looks...

I've certainly shared patterns with individual quilters, especially if they are old - the patterns that is not the quilters!! No money changes hands, and credit is always given to the originator.

In a lot of cases, a "pattern" is not original - its made up of well known blocks - the particular layout or the colours chosen are what makes it unique, and this can be an inspiration to others. I don't know who owns the "copyright" for say the nine patch or Jacobs Ladder or Ohio Star or any other well known block. In terms of actual quilting, we all copy and use feathers, scrolls, flowers, stars, leaves etc, and nobody ever thinks of a breach of copyright.

If you go to a website like QuiltersCache, some of the block patters are marked as "original" and the user is asked to respect that - ie don't pass it off as your own, and try and make money out of it.

Just my thoughts on the issue - haven't taken legal advice or anything!!

I know from looking at embroidery designs on the net that some Companies out there put up design for sell and it says they are copyrighted ...... Well, a lot of them were taken from FREE clipart and claimed. I saw two or three on one site that I reconized, so I went back and checked my FREE Clip Art that I bought and paid for, and there the designs were, exact dups.
I also digitized some of the designs that I have in my stash and intend to use them as I see fit. Most of mine I use on my quilts or quilts for others. If they want to claim copyright, they need to DRAW a design/pattern themselves. Most quilt patterns have been around for so many years that no one know where they came from.
Anyway.....
Syl

I have had users here suggest copying a pattern that I'm looking for. I would never want to offend someone, but I always decline.

Oh my gosh, I just asked someone on here if I could make a small quilt like hers. I meant with the same concept not the same exact quilt. Am I in trouble?

It's not okay to copy a pattern without consent and usually the owner consents to personal use and in some cases to charity groups to duplicate or use their pattern.
And give credit where it's required. Post the link where you got the pattern from, give due credit as respect.

Before copying or duplicating any pattern, one must read the disclosure/rules requested by the copyright.

LOL see what you started.....but really it's a need to know question.
My nephew is also a corporate lawyer up north. I will have to run it by him also.
Syl

Legally, you can sell the actual pattern, but not a copy...it's just like cd's and dvd's.....what you make from the pattern is yours and can altered or made exact without giving credit to anyone. They made the pattern to sell and that is where they get their credit and $$$. What I do with the pattern once in my possession is my business. If I so choose to let everyone know what the pattern is called and where to get it....good for me, but not required.[/quote]

This is my understanding of the law.

I follow this:

Do not copy a pattern to give or sell.

Do not claim a design or pattern of another as your own.

Anything other then that are rules the designer or publishing co want you to follow. Rules are not a legal matter. The rules are always listed right under the copyright law making it appear as part of the copyright.



It's legal to show how a pattern is made (tutorial) but not copy any text or image from the original pattern.


Neighbor's law firm represents a big craft/pattern publishing company.

I do not understand your comment. What does Walmart have to do with this? My Grandmother made two of the same design and fabric a lot. One for my sister and one for me. Plus I know a lot of quilters that have a favorite pattern they continue to use.
I notice that many of the "new" designs have several of the old patterns in them but the designer is taking credit.