Originally Posted by BellaBoo

Here is a free tabletopper pattern that is exactly like the French Braid. I have the book. The tabletopper has been online long before the book was ever published. That's why it's still free online. I don't understand how the pattern in the book can be copyrighted.


http://quiltbug.com/free/table-topper.htm

Originally Posted by squires1042

My major point is this method has been done before, for many years in fact in bow tie patterns so does it belong to the author of the ten minute block.

I agree with many of the points of view in these postings and I disagree with some. My belief is that if you put it out on utube you have lost the right to claim it as yours since it is posted for anyone and everyone whether they buy your patttern or book or not.

I have made this quilt from the book that I bought however I am one of those who is a hands on learner and I believe that it is not wrong to ask for help if you don't understand the directions in the book. Is this a violation of the rules. I don't believe so.

The concepts of quilting have been passed down through time itself and many variations of ways to do different techniques exist because of that. We cannot patent/copyright everything. If we did we would not be able to function at all since everything we do each day is a learned behaviour how do you justify me darning a sock with a method that was done before by someone who taught my mother. Is that protected and can you patent that method.

Sorry this is so long but one thing I have seen in travelling is that there are several patterns out there for the same thing. A quilter on the east coast has an original idea of their own for a design and creates a pattern. Then someone on the west coast has an idea along the same lines and creates their own pattern for sale. Neither of them saw the others work. Who owns the copyright or patent on it. Lots of food for thought and I don't think anyone will ever find a clear answer to all of this.

Originally Posted by SueSew

If knowledge had a copyright or patent we would have to have a seance to resurrect all of the great mathematicians and philosophers and get permission to use all of the basic concepts of our civilization.
Every child who ever wrote a book report would be in prison for sharing ideas learned in a book.
Everyone who ever 'carried the one' to the tens' column would be paying royalties.
Every child who learned test tube division would be paying fees to the estate of Maria Montessori.
Teaching would likely be prohibited as the royalties and releases would be prohibitively expensive.
Religious folk would have to ask the Lord's permission to put words from his book on their signature lines on this board.

Cite the reference, quote the book.

Now let's all laugh and get back to the sewing machine!

Originally Posted by ghquilter53

Students must purchase the book or pattern being used in a class..

Originally Posted by Dandish

This, exactly. OP, my reply is not directed at you, so please don't be offended.

I have come across several of these threads and discussions, and I've finally figured out WHY they "get my goat" so much.

All this "dont share!" and "that's MY idea" seems to be to be the antithesis of quilting. For many, many years quilters have been sharing - patterns, blocks, material, ideas, methods, etc - why someone would feel the need to be SO stringent with "their" idea is beyond me. Now, don't get me wrong, I do not begrudge anyone making a living from their original ideas, but really? How many truly original ideas are there in the quilting world. Also, as long as one is using something for their own personal use and NOT making money/profit from it (in no way would I defend making copies of someone's claimed pattern and selling them) why should there be a problem? I've spent, I'm sure, thousands of dollars in books, patterns, etc, over the years, and if those authors really think I shouldn't share a thing or a bit of information, I'd gladly send their stuff back to them and not buy anything of theirs ever again. Look at those who share freely - take Leah Day for example - I'd much rather look to them because to me that embodies the spirit of quilting I like best - share the fun, knowledge, excitement of it all. I'm sure she's making money from the things she does sell and she is very generous with her ideas and knowledge.

I see a lot of quilts with "names" on them that are NOT original patterns and have wondered exactly WHY is being called an original pattern? Fabric selection? Because somebody stuck their name on it? I don't think that's right, either.

Maybe I'm a moralless scofflaw, but I'd share my pattern or my book with anybody who is interested. If I know how to do something and somebody wants to learn, I'm there. Want to take me to court? Go for it.

Again, that's just ME. YMMV.