I just drew a pattern. I've decided to name it "Basic Star". Here it is:
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If you've been quilting more than a few hours chances are you've seen something like this. This one I've drawn using flying geese to make the points but HSTs would work just as well. I think it wold be nearly impossible to copyright something like this and where does the copyright begin and end? There are thousands of variations of this basic star shape. Does every possible color variation get it's own copyright? I drew it as a 6" block. Does a 9 or 12" block deserve another copyright? In my opinion something like this block has been done so many different ways that it doesn't deserve a copyright in any form. Does adding sashing between the blocks deserve a different copyright?
Anyway, you get my point. I think for some of these patterns it would be very hard for the designer to prove you violated their copyright.
I do believe in copyrights because they do provide the artist legal protection for unique work but many quilt designs aren't that unique. If a pattern is truly new and unique then the designer has the right to get paid for their design just like any other artist.
Rodney