slmeyer

There still seems to be some misunderstanding of the use of designer copy-written patterns. Recently a designer's pattern was copied and distributed to many others without the permission of the designer (not me BTW) even though the pages of the pattern were all copy-written. Just to clarify..... if you purchase a pattern or if the designer gives you a free copy of their pattern YOU, personally can make as many quilts from that pattern as you desire. You CANNOT copy and distribute that pattern to others. Each person wanting to use that pattern to make that quilt would have to purchase that pattern. The pattern is yours to use, but not to give away to others for free. The designer has spent numerous hours working on this and this is her income, so in effect by giving this away it is stealing. It does not matter if the pattern is being used for charity or for individual use. Giving away someone else's copy-written work is stealing.
When using free patterns off of the internet many websites will say each person must go on line themselves to download the free pattern. Please abide by the designers request. Also, if you are given a pattern via a charity or QOV leader please make sure it is not a copy-written pattern that was illegality copied. I'm sure if this were your income source you would not like others illegally copying it. Thanks for being mindful and considerate of others.