I've been reading more and more about this topic. It's a hot one. Google it and see what comes up. It's crazy.
Check out this page, or the whole website:
http://www.tabberone.com/Trademarks/...edFabric.shtml
I am not sure if I liked this website so much because it rings true to me, or just because I agree with it.
You just can't stop people from being inspired by your work, and if you don't let them sell stuff using your pattern/fabric, why would they buy it from you? If you want to make the money from the end product, then don't sell patterns, just make them up for yourself, then make and sell the quilt/sweater/whatever. People are going overboard with it it seems to me.
(I have not had anyoe accuse me of stealing their work, nor have I ever accused anyone. After I read what I wrote I realized it looked defensive, and I didn't mean it that way.)
I will post more links if I find them. I really enjoyed the link I posted on this post.