Can I make copies...
 

If there is a free pattern online that I like, can I make copies and give them to members of my guild? There is no copyright on the 2 page pattern. I have emailed this question to the email address on the pattern, but I have not had an answer.

I am considering doing a program for my guild on Bargello quilts. I was wondering if I could give guild members a copy of the pattern. I know I can give them the info to copy it themselves from the internet, but I was wondering if I could just skip that step.

Thanks for any info.

Dina

I would say no. Just because there is no printed copyright on the pattern doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

To be safe, how about you simply direct the members to download and print out their own copies?

designers put free patterns on their sites to encourage folks to visit their sites. it would probably be best to have each person access their own copy of the pattern.

No, you need to share the website and each person needs to visit, download the pattern for themselves.

Okay, thanks. I would certainly rather be safe than sorry.

Dina

What I do is give everyone the link to print out the pattern. Never fails someone or two will make extra copies for those that don't have a copy anyway. I usually have a couple of backup print outs. Someone will forget to bring their pattern or be missing a page but I don't offer to print them out just because they are free. Most want to save ink and say their printer is broke or some such excuse if they think someone will print it for them.

Do bloggers get "credits" when someone visits their site?

They get "hits" which they use to show potential advertisers their traffic. The more traffic, the higher price the advertising.

Also, if someone likes that free pattern, they are more likely to look at the other patterns offered for sale on that site and purchase them.

"Most want to save ink and say their printer is broke or some such excuse if they think someone will print it for them"

Boy, isn't that the truth, Onebyone. I have a friend who's printer has been down for over a year. She has wanted me to print out anything from the Guild's directory to full color directions for blocks of the month. I know some under a budget don't have internet access, that's another story.

I just got the best news, I got an answer to the question of could I make copies of the quilt pattern that was free online. I was told "Once you download the pattern, you can do whatever you want with it. Enjoy." Wasn't that nice.

This was from Northcott Fabrics. The pattern is by Patti Carey and is on their site.

All smiles here. :)

Dina

Great customer service Northcott!

I know several people like this. Always something wrong with their printer or computer. It's gets annoying. Get it fixed why don't you. I tell them I'm out of paper. Just as lame as their excuse. LOL

I have recently started having patterns printed at office depot. Lots cheaper than using all my ink. It is so simple. You email them the pattern and they will print as many copies that you need. You could tell your freind you will email her a copy.

As I was reading the comments it made no sense to me that 10 people can print one copy each but one person can't print 10 copies! :D

Because you have 10 different people visiting a website vs 1 person visiting a website, and most websites prefer the traffic. With 10 visitors, you're more likely to have at least 1 person buy a product that wasn't what they originally came for.

This website is different because they don't sell to the general public, they sell to wholesalers only.

It was smart for the OP to ask the company for permission.

Thank you for sharing. Yes, I do not like being a copy service either especially if it is abused.

I started using HP Instant Ink last year as it seemed my “Last longer “printer cartridges were not doing that and for $60
Or so a cartridge a few times a year, it was awfully expensive. I just pick that I print 100 or less copies a month and pay a flat fee($5) and if I don’t use them I can roll them over for next month. I think 5 cents a piece is cheaper than my library charges.

Peckish- that makes sense. Thanks for the heads up.

Exactly. They are not selling patterns, they are selling fabric. They are also not selling advertising "hits" on their website. Again, they want you to buy their fabric.

bkay

That makes so much sense. Hubby and I were looking at that printer the other day and he was appalled because they would know how much he is printing......and we are talking hundreds of pages a month. He loves his printer, gets deals on ink......black only. We have a separate color printer that only comes out of it’s box on special occasions. I walked away thinking it was a good idea just not for my husband.

Home based business prints up to a hundred copies very few days. The printer company doesn't care how much you print only how much ink you need to buy. My SIL has three of the 300 pages per month plans and rarely rolls any over. She works from home freelance and does a lot of printing for local kids groups for free.

Peckish had a good answer to the situation. I think Northcutt was very nice to offer that option - Once you download the pattern, you can do whatever you want with it - however, that won't be the case for all websites.

Just because there is no copyright symbol on it doesn't mean that there isn't a copyright. I teach elementary school technology and the children learn that anytime something is created (no matter what or who did the creating) it has a copyright on it. It is your personal creative work. If someone else takes it or copies it, they must ask permission to use it unless you have clearly stated on your work that they may copy it and how they might use it. I am glad that the person who started this thread asked for permission. She did exactly what she should do.