Copyright for Quilters
Copying quilters ideas takes on new twists and turns all the time.  It’s generally accepted that you can’t copy someone’s writing and patterns without their permission. They’re protected by copyright.
However, with the Internet, photos on the web, copy machines and more, quilters run into situations that didn’t exist before.
*Many photocopy shops will not copy or enlarge patterns from magazines.  Even though it’s stated in the directions that you can enlarge the pattern, they won’t take the chance of infringing on copyright. 
*Taking photos of other quilters’ quilts and fabric art at shows and galleries presents a challenge.  Generally, it’s permissible for your …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
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 …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
Recently I wrote about How Will the Orphan Works Bill Affect Ownership of Your Art and Written Work? here at Quilting and Patchwork.  I also mentioned it at my Home Biz Notes blog, Will Your Images, Photos, Artistic and Other Copyrighted Work Become Public Property?
Most artists, writers, and artisans are concerned about copyright infringement and loss of income from their work if the bill goes through.  However, those in favor of the bill have a different view.
One Home Biz Notes readers shared her view in the comments of the post there.  You may want to check it out.
What do you …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
If a proposed law, H.R. 5889, The Orphan Works Bill of 2008 passes the U.S. House of Representatives or  S. 2913, The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008, passes the Senate, will your images, photos, artistic work  and authored works  be in danger of becoming public property?  Apparently, the infringers just have to indicate they can’t find or couldn’t contact the owner and will have free use of much written and artistic work.
In a radical departure from existing copyright law and business practice, the U.S. Copyright Office has proposed that Congress grant such infringers freedom to ignore the rights of the …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
   Copyright continues to present a puzzling issue among quilters and fabric artists.  How can you protect your original work?  What designs and patterns, even fabrics, are free from copyright if you want to make something for sale?
It’s often not a “cut and dried” issue, as Chuck Smith explains in Quilting Copyright: Can I Sell My Quilts Made with Licensed Fabric or from Copyrighted Patterns?  He deals with two questions in his article at Quilting Business.
*Can I sell a quilt I make from fabric with licensed images?
*Can I sell a quilt I make from a pattern I purchase that …read more

The copyright issue, concerning patterns and fabrics, affects most quilters, especially if they’re planning to sell their quilts and fabric art.  If you’re making quilts simply for your own use or to give as gifts, then it doesn’t come into play so much with your work.
I came across an interesting article at Quilting Business.com, titled: Quilting Copyright: Can I Sell My Quilts Made with Licensed Fabric or from Copyrighted Patterns?   These are two of the copyright issues confronting quilter and fabric artists site owner Chuck Smith has researched. 
Chuck also has a free e-mail mini course: 7 Unique Ways to Make Money …read more

Whether it involves copyrighting your own patterns and designs or how you can use someone else’s, this issue becomes of concern to quilters, especially those who are considering selling quilts and fabric art or teaching this folk art.
Can you use someone else’s pattern for a quilt you’re going to sell?  Can someone commission you to make them a quilt using a copyrighted pattern?  When is a pattern in the public domain?  Must a pattern have a copyright notice on it to be copyrighted?
These are just a few of the questions confronting quilters and fabric artists.  I discussed this topic awhile …read more

 Quilters frequently wonder what they can use as far as quilt patterns and designs and how they can use them without infringing upon the originator’s copyright.  Also, what can be used from books and articles?
 
At www.reddawn.net/quilt/copylaw.htm you’ll find information regarding the US Copyright Law and how it applies to quilters.  This may not answer all of your questions, but will give you some idea about what you can and cannot do in your quilting and fabric art. 
 
At the Red Dawn site(www.reddawn.net/quilt/quilting.htm )you’ll find much information of interest for quilters in addition to copyright law.