Originally Posted by nursie76
I have found it to be the same in my experience. I do sometimes like to look at the inside of a pattern to make sure it is not beyond my abilities. However, I was at a quilt show in March, and they saw me look at the inner part of a pattern (it was really pretty, but just wasn't sure if I could make it. I wanted to make sure the directions were clear and concise. and it had a zip lock top) The proprietress came over and said, "I am sorry, you can't do that. It is a violation of copyright laws." She was polite, but I felt like a criminal....after all, I wasn't copying it. And if she thought I could glance at a pattern and memorize the directions, then I must look way more intelligent than I am ;-)
First of all, looking at a pattern is in no way a violation of copyright law. And if she had said that to me, I would have asked her to show me, exactly, where it says that glancing or reading anything is a violation. Hers is a ridiculous assertion.
Now had you purchased it & tried to return it, that still is not a violation of copyright law, but as a shop owner she is within her rights to decide whether or not to take anything back at all. And most places will not accept returns on patterns, and I don't blame them. These days, some people will buy something, scan it into their computer and make a return if they can. Frankly, I don't know of any quilter that would do that; we all like to keep our stuff too much.