can be copyrighted by two different people, companies. I was surfing and came across some information on copyrights and quilt patterns and selling them. Now to me if I purchase the pattern, material and put my time into making the end item, what right does the pattern designer have to my finished product? And if they do, why can't I just change something on it and then they have no claim to it at all. I truly believe in giving credit where it is due. But now I see this very cute handbag pattern, one by whimsicals and one by another company, they are the same! However the one by whimsicals is pieced more then the other. ACK I am so confused on this issue! :shock: I guess I just want to find out where I can get some clarification. I am thinking about opening a quilt shop here in my town, we only have one right now. And in the long run if this dream happens, I probably would end up selling quilts and patterns and such and I don't want to 'infringe'?!

if you focus on the instructions and illustrations, you'll see why two authors can legitimately protect their patterns for what seems to be the same item.

the value is not necessarily in the bags themselves. it's in the quality of instruction and usefulness to those who buy them.

copyright protections are there to ensure others do not infringe upon the rights of the creators to realize benefit (usually money) from their unique efforts. they can't deny reasonable use. but, if somebody buys one copy of a pattern and then makes and sells several hundred or several thousand bags made using those instructions, the manufacturer is interfering with the creator's right to realize the income from selling the patterns.

clear as mud? :lol:

Don't feel bad for being confused. It depends who you are talking to as to what answers you will get.
There have been several topic on this and they always seemed to get pretty heated. You might want to use the search feature and search copyright.

Thank you very much for your replies I definitely will search for the topic and see what comes up! Or stick to my original plan and make quilts for me :)

Actually that definitely makes a lot of sense! That would not be fair at all to make a huge abundance of a product from someone else's pattern and make a fortune on it without sharing some of the wealth. Thanks!

have i told you lately how much love you?

:mrgreen: :lol: