Thread: Got a frustrating email from McCalls Quilting Magazine

ok, I am not trying to start another 20 plus pages of rage against the copy-right laws, but I just got a frustrating email from McCalls Quilting magazine.
I read the first article on the copy-right laws and then read the second issue's article which didn't say much.
My reason for emailing McCalls was that someone one the board wanted a pattern from a back issue. I had the issue and wanted to send her a copy of the pattern, so I emailed McCalls and asked if this was ok. They replied that it was an infringement of the copy-right law. So then I emailed again and asked if I could loan her my issue so she could use it (and pointed out that she could maybe go to the library and check out the issue and get a copy of the pattern that way.) I got a reply from McCalls saying:
"This is such a complex issue regarding copyrights and not all answers are cut and dried, but yes, I do believe you can loan her your issue and she can make a project. Thanks so much for asking! "

So now my question: I could mail her the magazine and she could use it and mail it back, but why can't I just send her a copy of the pattern? I don't consider myself stupid, but maybe I am missing something here. Is it the actual copying and sending that is illegal, or the fact that she didn't buy the pattern rights? Yet I can loan the magazine. Something doesn't seem to be right with this.

Originally Posted by garysgal

ok, I am not trying to start another 20 plus pages of rage against the copy-right laws, but I just got a frustrating email from McCalls Quilting magazine.
I read the first article on the copy-right laws and then read the second issue's article which didn't say much.
My reason for emailing McCalls was that someone one the board wanted a pattern from a back issue. I had the issue and wanted to send her a copy of the pattern, so I emailed McCalls and asked if this was ok. They replied that it was an infringement of the copy-right law. So then I emailed again and asked if I could loan her my issue so she could use it (and pointed out that she could maybe go to the library and check out the issue and get a copy of the pattern that way.) I got a reply from McCalls saying:
"This is such a complex issue regarding copyrights and not all answers are cut and dried, but yes, I do believe you can loan her your issue and she can make a project. Thanks so much for asking! "

So now my question: I could mail her the magazine and she could use it and mail it back, but why can't I just send her a copy of the pattern? I don't consider myself stupid, but maybe I am missing something here. Is it the actual copying and sending that is illegal, or the fact that she didn't buy the pattern rights? Yet I can loan the magazine. Something doesn't seem to be right with this.

You are just loaning her a copy of the pattern

Make a copy and send it to her....in my humble opinion. Less postage too.

Originally Posted by garysgal

ok, I am not trying to start another 20 plus pages of rage against the copy-right laws, but I just got a frustrating email from McCalls Quilting magazine.
I read the first article on the copy-right laws and then read the second issue's article which didn't say much.
My reason for emailing McCalls was that someone one the board wanted a pattern from a back issue. I had the issue and wanted to send her a copy of the pattern, so I emailed McCalls and asked if this was ok. They replied that it was an infringement of the copy-right law. So then I emailed again and asked if I could loan her my issue so she could use it (and pointed out that she could maybe go to the library and check out the issue and get a copy of the pattern that way.) I got a reply from McCalls saying:
"This is such a complex issue regarding copyrights and not all answers are cut and dried, but yes, I do believe you can loan her your issue and she can make a project. Thanks so much for asking! "

So now my question: I could mail her the magazine and she could use it and mail it back, but why can't I just send her a copy of the pattern? I don't consider myself stupid, but maybe I am missing something here. Is it the actual copying and sending that is illegal, or the fact that she didn't buy the pattern rights? Yet I can loan the magazine. Something doesn't seem to be right with this.

For crying out loud, send her a copy of the pattern. If the laws are that vague, then forget it. I've loaned patterns before, and I'll do it again. If I own it, I'll do what I please with it and that includes giving it away!

Please: Let's don't start a big debate on this issue. It's just a matter of common sense.

Make a copy and loan her the copy!! LOL

Amen to what shequilts said.
If your friend gets in trouble because she made a quilt from a pattern in McCalls Magazine and then sold the quilt, let MCalls come after her. Her defense could be that she got the pattern from you! (just kidding)

Make the copy and send it.

Well...I am not going to read all these comments but I will say this....I would never have bothered emailing McCalls about this in the first place. I would have gone ahead and just made a copy and sent it to my friend. I do NOT ever photocopy and share a pattern I purchase at the LQS...but, in my opinion, magazines are just a little different. Who is to know whether or not the person making the quilt purchased the magazine? If I check a magazine out of the public library, I DO photocopy a pattern if I want to make it. There is no way I can make a quilt in the 2days that I am allowed to keep that periodical checked out.

I think the problem is the "physical copy". If you "loan" her the magazine and she makes her own copy then the copyright infringement is on her not you.

The only problem is if you "sell" the pattern to her.

On the other hand, they would never know.....