I agree with you in principle, but I think it might be difficult in practice. If I use a pattern but make it in totally different fabrics/colors and then add a couple of mitred borders that aren't in the pattern, is it still your pattern or has it become my own? I've never followed a pattern exactly, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who uses a pattern as a starting point for my own creativity. And maybe my result is really ugly and the pattern maker would prefer not to have his/her name associated with it (joking). Definitely a point for discussion, though.