Quilting Query About Copyright
August 24, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Home & Living
The topic of copyright looms large in the quilting world with so many quilters making quilts and related items for sale these days. Those who create original designs naturally don’t want them copied for sale or competitions.
Those who use patterns designed by other quilters and published in books, magazines, and elsewhere often are confused regarding how much they have to change the design when use it for other than personal use.
Annie has a question:
If the pattern I copy is changed a little, can I still sell my quilts? What about the Amish Quilters? Thank you.
If you know the answer or where Annie can find it, do let us know in the comments.
Have you had any experiences with copyright, either someone using your patterns or trying to decide what you can and can’t use for quilts you’re making to sell? At what point is a pattern considered changed enough?
After reading through some of the articles below, I’d say you have to change the pattern “a great deal” to sell the quilt. What is a “great deal?” That’s subjective. So…the best route, as one writer has mentioned, is to use a public domain pattern or design one yourself. Then if it’s your original design, you may want to copyright it.
Here are some articles to read for information:
Copyright Laws and the Quilter
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
