Copyright questions for patterns that use someone else's tools
 

I saw a gal on here who is selling her (adorable) shamrock pattern for use with the Twister ruler. I made an American flag with the Twister, where the pattern is a give away for our Shop Hop next month (I work at a quilt shop), and one of the employees wanted to buy it (before I told her it's going to be a give away). That plus all the discussions lately about copyrighting got me wondering - can you make a pattern that uses another copyright tool, for example the Twister, and sell it without infringing on the Twister company's copyright? Obviously I know I couldn't use the Twister's wording for the ruler's insert, but otherwise, would that be okay? "Here's a pattern, here's the layout, use the Twister to cut it up, sew back together - ta da!" Or could the Twister people issue a cease and desist and/or sue? How does that fit into the copyright discussion?

The Twister would only have a copyright on their pattern directions. You can make anything your heart desires with the tool so long as you acknowledge that brand name item.

Gotcha, thanks :)

I am the one with the Shamrock Twist pattern. Before I was able to copyright it I had to have permission from both CS Designs and Primitive Gatherings to include their products and techniques in my supply list.

Also, be aware that The Garhering Room Quilt Shoppe in Legrange, KY has a copyright on a Twister flag...so make sure you aren't infringing on it. (There's has been out probably almost a year now.)

The copyright takes just a few months and is $35 if you do it online, however, it's $50 if you mail it in.

Dumb question? Do you fret over using a patented sewing machine to make your top? Whatever tool you are using is patented (items), not copyrighted (words).