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 own enjoyment.  Although even then, some quilters object to it because they’re not sure what you’re going to do with the photos.

However, utilizing photos of other’s work for your own uses, without permission, is questionable.  It’s best to contact the quilter, explain how you’d like to use the photo and get a signed permission.

*Some quilters have seen pictures of their work on other’s web sites and blogs and even on products for sale, such as mugs, postcards, pins, hats, etc.  Posting photos of quilts from shows on your blog may meet opposition.  One quilter may say she doesn’t mind a photo of her work posted if her name is there.  It gives her additional exposure. 

Other quilters object to posting on web sites/blogs without their permission, even with identification.  They would like you to get their permission.

As you can see, many challenges have cropped up in this Internet age when information is used in new and different ways and can be published so quickly.

To cover your bases, it’s best to get permission (preferably something in writing) if you want to use a photo of someone else’s work. 

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 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 

Quilting Copyright & Quilters

Quilting and Copyright 

Quilting & Copyright 

More About Quilt Copyright

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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 think?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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 author and use the work for any purpose, including commercial usage. In the case of visual art, the word “author” means “artist.”  (From Overview at Illustrators Partnership of America)

The House Bill already has passed the House Judiciary Committee.

For more information on how this affects you, the artist, photographer, painter, designer…small and home business owner, visit the Illustrators Partnership of America web site. 

Another source of explanation of “Orphan Works” and the consequences to authors and artists if one of these bills becomes law is at Public Knowledge.

“Orphan Works” are copyrighted works - books, music, records, films, etc - whose owner cannot be located. (From Public Knowledge)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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 is copyrighted?

Chuck has researched these questions and gives us information from a variety of sources.  Yet, it’s still difficult to find absolute answers without consulting with an attorey.  However, Chuck does have information to get you started and act as a springboard to warn you from some practices that could bring copyright problems. 

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

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 with Your Quilting.  (You can register by clicking on the same link as the above article.)

Quilting Business.com is a great site for answers and ideas for the quilt business owner.

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 ago on this blog(http://www.blisstree.com/2006/03/11/quilting-copyright/), but found a very enlightening article on it in the premiere issue of Quilter’s Home (www.quiltershomemag.com). 

This is a new magazine on the newsstands and quilt shops (my daughter found hers at the local supermarket).  It describes as being “for the new generation of quilters” and delving into topics related to quilters and quiltmaking, but not mainly patterns.

Among the articles is one on “Copyright for Quilters and Crafters” by Sylvia Landman.