Originally Posted by marciacp
The biggest thing is just don't make photo copies of a pattern and pass it out to a class, or a bunch of friends - instead tell your class or friends where they can purchase the pattern if they like it. That's the bottom line. Otherwise, please feel free to continue sharing pictures, etc. That's a good thing and not in violation of copyright law.
And I know quilters who go in together to buy patterns and fabrics to save shipping, and share both when they arrive.
And although it is done, lending a pattern to a friend is probably not as good as telling them where they can get their own.