Originally Posted by Stummel
Originally Posted by Charlee
Any kind of copying...be it tracing and writing out the instructions or using a copy machine. It's all the same... :)
When I went to quilting class we received copies of instructions and diagrams every time and I don't know where those came from. I still don't see how it is more ethical to borrow a book and make a quilt than to copy the instructions if you can't get it done in three weeks when you have to return the book and to then destroy them after. I doubt that most quilters would sell the patten on or distribute it. Maybe we need someone who writes quilting books to clarify. :)
If the copies of instructions and diagrams you received were from another source, then the teacher was violating copyright law (unless she had permission to make the copies). If she wrote the instructions, she can distribute them as she sees fit, but you are not allowed to further copy and distribute them unless she gives you permission.
I do not think that it is okay to make copies of patterns from a book, whether you own the book, or have borrowed it from a library or a friend. Even if you own the book, there are only a few times when it's okay to copy from it. I picked up a book entirely at random from my shelf (More Simple Quilts with Splash, Dash and Panache by Nicole C. Chambers) and read this:
"All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission of the publisher. Exceptions: Permission is granted to reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review."
I have also read about that "10%" rule that libraries supposedly have. I think it's more for researchers than for quilters. It's hard to find information about this subject on the internet as it pertains to quilters. A lot of what I've read is conflicting. I guess that's why we have these discussions.