Hi, I need some help here as far as a copyright is concerned. I have taken photos of the steps that I have done for a class I was teaching. Now In the back of the book That I purchased to make this quilt the author said that The patterns could be taught in a class setting but could not make any copies from the book. The only pages that could be copied were the fabric requirements and instructions on how many cuts from the pieces of fabric. What I need to know is am I able to post the photos of my steps to make the blocks with my fabric without any instructions included? Phew!!! I hope some one can answer this for me. Anne

That is an excellent question. I wonder if it is the photos that are copyrighted,(they are) or if the technique is as well, (I do not know if you can copyright a technique). Send the editor a letter. I have done that with a drawing that I copied and was told I could make copies to use in shows, ect. Once you get the letter back, make sure you keep it in a file in case it ever becomes an issue.

I did a class with my guild a couple of years ago on the Eleanor Burns "Quick Trip Around the World". The girl who taught the class contacted her, and the only way we could do the class was if everyone participating had a copy of the book. She found some at a reduced price and we all bought a book. I'm sure the rules vary from person to person, however. You might contact the artist/publisher and ask.

I didn't use anything from the book except what was retained in my brain. The photos I had taken are from my project of the design from the book. My fabric , my cut fabric, my sewn blocks. She did say that the students could take notes from what I spoke to them regarding the lessons. I didn't even have the book in the classroom.

You cannot copyright a technique. If you did not make copies of the photos in the book nor copy the written words in any way, you are alright. You hold the copyright to any photos you took yourself. Does that help?

Second thoughts: Are you teaching the technique or the pattern? Teaching the pattern is questionable without permission.

It's a stack n whack ribbon weave. I posted the photo of the first one I made and I keep on getting pm"s asking me to explain the technique to them. So-- I thought I would just show the photos of my steps to do it.

You're teaching a class from a book you didn't write. You have permission to distribute fabric requirements and instructions on how many cuts from the pieces of fabric, but that's about it. If you want to distribute more (i.e., step-by-step photographed instruction), you should really ask for permission.

Put yourself in the author's shoes if it makes it easier. If you wrote a pattern, would you like someone to be able to copy that pattern and make money without giving you credit or compensation? She went through a lot of work to get her book published. If someone buys one copy and teaches a class of 1,000 you can see how that dilutes her success.

Chances are, she'll grant you permission to do what you want, but it's always polite (and legal) to get permission.

Explain away. Techniques are not protected so you can explain how to make A ribbon weave, just not THE ribbon weave in the book. Make sense?

She gives permission to teach the class. she even gives you guidelines on how many hours per day for the amount of classes you want. She gives you permission to do almost everything except pass the book around or copy her photos . That's why I didn't bring the book to class. I used my quilt as an example so they had something to look at. I'm not selling anything. It's almost the same as the one block wonder just a different shape. There are tutorials on the OBW on this board showing photos of the technique wouldn't that be the same?? Now I'm getting confused ! When you buy a book and learn something can you not pass it on?

Ghostrider, When you say show the technique not the pattern-- I may be really dense because I don't understand how to show the technique without it not resembling the pattern.