If I were a designer and read this thread, I would be sure to offer patterns without a kit. I don't typically buy a kit either. But another way to look at this - which I don't think anyone has mentioned - is not "am I going to get caught if I copy a pattern? " but "how would I feel if I spent a lot of time in designing a patten, and quilters looked at the pattern and said "I can save myself a couple bucks - I'll just do it myself." ? Just something to think about.

The person at the beginning of this thread was "trying to do the right thing."

I sometimes get torn between "doing the right thing" and "trying to save a buck"

Thank you, thank you, thank you from a fledgling designer! The Golden Rule, how simple is that!! If help is needed in deciding what the right thing to do really is, check out this lesson plan for grades K-5. http://www.goodcharacter.com/YCC/DoingRight.html (and please note that their terms of use, i.e. copyright policies, have been strictly followed :) )

This has got to be the most over-thought subject on this board........lol.

have fun designing your own cool quilt patterns

I don't know of any professional quilt designer that doesn't use EQ. Now with EQ7 digital abilities it won't be long before taking any picture of any quilt made from a purchased quilt pattern to show anyone will be considered unethical. Unethical will be the new norm if people don't use common sense about it.