Old 08-22-2010, 05:37 AM
  #192  
dgmoby
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 547
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Originally Posted by mswordwiz
This was on McCall's Site,with the link at the bottom...

Reader Response
We have had lots of reader response to this thought-provoking article. Therefore, we are working with the author of the piece, Janet Jo Smith, to prepare a short follow-up for our November/December issue. Copyright law is a complex topic, one which we would never have space enough to present completely to our readers. But it’s also a very important topic, and one we believe all quilters need information about in order to protect their rights and respect those of other quilters. It was with this in mind that we presented Janet Jo’s answers to quilters’ most common copyright questions. Unfortunately, some readers seem to have drawn inaccurate conclusions based on the limited information presented in the article, and are feeling alarmed about situations where copyright law has little or no application. For example, vast numbers of our favorite quilt blocks and patterns have been within the public domain for years and are not encumbered by copyright law as we understand it. We’re glad the article has spurred such interest and discussion in the quilting community, and hope you’ll watch for the follow-up.
Aug 12, 2010 at 09:10 AM

Link:
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/artic...s__and_Wrongs_

Based on the bold marks, since most of their blocks are in the public domain, I think your ok to display a quilt made with one of their patterns.
It has been stated this attorney McCall's is using is a PATENT attorney, not a COPYRIGHT attorney (she's not legally licensed as a 'Specialist' in the field). Therefore, her word doesn't mean that much to me. If they used a proper attorney, who by their license, states that they are one of the foremost specialists in the US on this matter, than I would give the article more credit. However, using an attorney who doesn't specialize in the subject, and then encouraging people to complain at quilt shows (and perhaps get a quilt unjustly disqualified), and encouraging quilt-makers to DONATE free advertising to the designers is not a good business decision.

I have also canceled all subscriptions related to this magazine. I will not pay for the right to NOT use something I paid for! That's just ridiculous! I wouldn't buy a car to just view it my driveway becuase it's beautiful...I buy it to use first, and then admire :)

My opinion only :)
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