"my patterns"??????????????
 

How is it possible that a person/company can lay claim to traditional patterns, many over a century old as "my patterns"?

Earlier, I started to post a link for a couple traditional 4 patch blocks, and the link came up as one I'm sure most of you have gone to before. Many of the patterns this site lays claim to were well established long before this person was born.

I know that, so any info about using "my patterns" goes in my mental round file. But how many newer quilters have been scared off with this site's empty threats?

it is the layout-design used with the blocks that is (copyrighted) techniques can not be copyrighted- and the actual block is available to anyone- it is what you do with the block that they claim to be theirs.

They can also go stand in the garage and claim to be a car. Doesn't make it so.

^^^^LOL. Scissor Queen.

I have wondered the same thing myself. Lot's of "recycling" and claiming. bah.

The written instructions and photos or drawings used for those instructions are copyrighted, not the design itself. The written instructions are what make up a pattern.

Last year when all the publicity was going on over the McCalls magazine article on copyright, there was a basic Lone Star quilt featured. Of course it had a copyright on it. I called a knowledgable person ask why a traditional pattern could be copyrighted. that person had also written an article on copyright so felt she has some knowledge.
I was told that the Lone Star was not copyrighted but how it was constructed using the fabrics. That made it unique. As for as the basic pattern - that was not copyrighted. Also the instructions were copyrighted.

Yup, what dunster said!

a layout is not shown, only a single block. And how all of a sudden after 100+ years do they claim a certain lay out is THIERS ALONE?

I'm a new quilter and I have been kind of scared off by some of these copyright things. I know some quilt blocks are hundreds of years old so how on earth could they be copyrighted? Makes no sense to me.