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Old 07-12-2015, 07:26 AM
  #45  
MaryTG
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 91
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This is a very useful clarification that was included in the US Copyright Office's new compendium released in late December 2014.

920.1 Patterns for Making Articles
The drawings and text in a pattern book may be copyrightable, if they are sufficiently original. This may include textual instructions, technical diagrams that demonstrate cutting, stitching, weaving, or other techniques required by the pattern, as well as illustrations of the completed items.
A registration for a pattern book generally does not extend to individual pattern pieces that may be used to create a useful article, such as shapes that may be traced and used to make a sleeve for a dress, because they have an intrinsic utilitarian function. Nor does the registration extend to any useful article that may be created with the pattern, such as an item of clothing. For a general discussion of useful articles, see Section 924.
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