dunster

Making a quilt from a pattern that you own is not a violation. Making a bunch of quilts from the pattern is not a violation. Copying the pattern is a violation. The instructions themselves are under copyright protection.

Oklahoma Suzie

I haven't seen that one before.

Bobbinwinder

I'd like to understand this...does "Copying" mean photocopying as in xerox?

Charlee

Any kind of copying...be it tracing and writing out the instructions or using a copy machine. It's all the same... :)

Bobbinwinder

So, was my earlier post a no-no?

Stummel

When I went to quilting class we received copies of instructions and diagrams every time and I don't know where those came from. I still don't see how it is more ethical to borrow a book and make a quilt than to copy the instructions if you can't get it done in three weeks when you have to return the book and to then destroy them after. I doubt that most quilters would sell the patten on or distribute it. Maybe we need someone who writes quilting books to clarify. :)

dunster

I looked back to your earlier posts. I think you were suggesting that you use Judy's quilt for inspiration, but draft your own that looks similar. That's probably okay. Copying the quilt, inch for inch, without paying for the author's design, is not okay, if it's an original design.

Again, that's my understanding of the copyright law, but also it's what makes sense to me.

dunster

If the copies of instructions and diagrams you received were from another source, then the teacher was violating copyright law (unless she had permission to make the copies). If she wrote the instructions, she can distribute them as she sees fit, but you are not allowed to further copy and distribute them unless she gives you permission.

I do not think that it is okay to make copies of patterns from a book, whether you own the book, or have borrowed it from a library or a friend. Even if you own the book, there are only a few times when it's okay to copy from it. I picked up a book entirely at random from my shelf (More Simple Quilts with Splash, Dash and Panache by Nicole C. Chambers) and read this:

"All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission of the publisher. Exceptions: Permission is granted to reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review."

I have also read about that "10%" rule that libraries supposedly have. I think it's more for researchers than for quilters. It's hard to find information about this subject on the internet as it pertains to quilters. A lot of what I've read is conflicting. I guess that's why we have these discussions.

Jingle

A lawyer once said do not try to put logic in the law because the law has no logic. Get involved with the law and you will see what he meant.

If I were to do any of the above I would not tell anyone. I don't even play a lawyer on this board.

I understood what Stummel was asking, I don't understand what brought up the coyright discussion, obliviously nothing she said.