"my patterns"??????????????
 

How is it possible that a person/company can lay claim to traditional patterns, many over a century old as "my patterns"?

Earlier, I started to post a link for a couple traditional 4 patch blocks, and the link came up as one I'm sure most of you have gone to before. Many of the patterns this site lays claim to were well established long before this person was born.

I know that, so any info about using "my patterns" goes in my mental round file. But how many newer quilters have been scared off with this site's empty threats?

it is the layout-design used with the blocks that is (copyrighted) techniques can not be copyrighted- and the actual block is available to anyone- it is what you do with the block that they claim to be theirs.

They can also go stand in the garage and claim to be a car. Doesn't make it so.

^^^^LOL. Scissor Queen.

I have wondered the same thing myself. Lot's of "recycling" and claiming. bah.

The written instructions and photos or drawings used for those instructions are copyrighted, not the design itself. The written instructions are what make up a pattern.

Last year when all the publicity was going on over the McCalls magazine article on copyright, there was a basic Lone Star quilt featured. Of course it had a copyright on it. I called a knowledgable person ask why a traditional pattern could be copyrighted. that person had also written an article on copyright so felt she has some knowledge.
I was told that the Lone Star was not copyrighted but how it was constructed using the fabrics. That made it unique. As for as the basic pattern - that was not copyrighted. Also the instructions were copyrighted.

Yup, what dunster said!

a layout is not shown, only a single block. And how all of a sudden after 100+ years do they claim a certain lay out is THIERS ALONE?

I'm a new quilter and I have been kind of scared off by some of these copyright things. I know some quilt blocks are hundreds of years old so how on earth could they be copyrighted? Makes no sense to me.

LOL! Well said!

And that makes no sense to me. What are they doing that my grandmother didn't do?

Using that as a basis, I can go pick out 8 fabrics of my choice and copyright the finished block?
Doesn't float with me!

That's what is bothering me. We know the patterns are older than anyone here. A new quilter might go to a site and think these the common patterns are indeed copyrighted and be scared off from using them.

I don't know. But My Hubby and I talked He said it could be that "they' have 'Bought' the 'Rights' to the 'Patterns' !!
But if not and the Patterns are in 'free public' not sure of the right words?
WE should be able to do as we want!! With out asking for some small time 2@#$$% telling us how to DO.

It is a little much to me some of the copies rotted stuff. (Misspelling intended) I am sorry but it just seems to be that everyone wants to.get their cut of the money. A waste to me.

copyrights are going into the bin due to the internet and all the sites there in. so many quilters are posting tutorials on how to make blocks or quilts that designers sell patterns for. it's happening every day. so things will be changing some time but i dont' know how they are going to handle this. I think the world is to big to put manacles on everyone.

Bought from whom? Mary Jo Smith who first made the pattern in 1792? (fictitious!)
Very few, if any, of these patterns can be placed back to a single person. Take "Annie's choice" probably some Annie long 200 years before me! But none of us will ever know WHICH ANNIE!

Even if someone shows a pattern as first showing up decades ago, how do WE know that our GG Grandma was indeed the first to use the pattern.

^5! Excellent answer!

Oh no!! This one had me laughing out loud.....:-)

Hey people, chill! No one has ever, to my knowledge, claimed the copyright to the design of a block that they did not in fact invent. The written instructions are all that are copyrighted - the words on the page, together with any original art work or photographs. Not the method of construction, not the block, just that particular set of words and art work. Don't complain about a problem that doesn't exist.

Example: I wrote a pattern for the quilt in my avatar. I didn't invent the diamond log cabin design, and never claimed to. Part of my setting may be original to me, but I don't even know that for sure. But my pattern is copyright protected, because it is original. I put together the words and the pictures. That can't be legally copied by someone else, but anyone can make a quilt like mine, and they can do it with or without my pattern, with or without my methods of construction.

Thanks for that dunster. That's the best explanation I've heard.Certainly makes it clear. Is there a way to keep your answer at the top of a thread where hopefully all new quilters would see it?

Now just when I thought I could write a book called 75 Wonderful Quilts to Make, and then photograph my favorite quilts from the books in the library and the instructions on how to do them - and solve my current "how to pay the higher gas prices problem" I find out the pictures and instructions are copyrighted. So I have to make my own 75 wonderful quilts, write my own words, take my own pictures and then make my books.
THAT makes sense. That's why we have copyright laws.

I agree with everything said as I have been quilting for 30 plus years and after that article in McCalls I quit all magazines
subscritions as most all patterns today are spinoffs we have dicussed it in groups if there is such a thing as copyright how can they do all these spinoffs just to name a few origninal stack and whack spinoff oneblock wonder---orignial Square Dance spinoff twister also someone is doing a spinoff of Maggie Walkers cats now I see Judy Niemeyer has someone doing a spinoff of hers and oh yes I took a class from Sara Nephew years ago on the baby block one with no "Y" seams now there is a spinoff and that is just naming a few so if anyone can explain copyright I am all ears

No, If you try to copyright it with 8 fabrics you pick out, the fabric people will probably come after you for infringing on their copyrights!!! LOL! There's no winning in this day of self-preservation.

Funny this should come up . When I was at the quilt show this weekend I bought a ruler from Marilyn Doheny. There is a pattern that is copy righted that a lot of people are making as a table topper. However one person who put together the pattern took it right off her website, where Marilyn was offering it for free, took her own pictures, named it ,and copyrighted it and sold the pattern for $10 . The pattern is made with a 9° ruler. Marilyn said , take her instructions teach them to your friends, guilds, groups .But don't try to package and resell as your own. And yes she is dealing with it right now.

so what is copyright they just don't want us exchanging patterns with friends but I trade all the time we never did until we see all of the stuff but now we figure if these people make spinoffs for money we can sure trade with friend but my heart does go out to these people that worked for the original pattern just to have it stolen for spinoffs

A few months ago someone was asking about a certain well published block. I casually stated that I had figured out the dimensions for the half square triangles and flying geese. The person who is marketing this block told me I had to take my post down as it was her block. Hmmmmm. That is why I always recommend the Carpenter's Wheel on here - it really is the same as the one that rhymes with doom.

It is just like the instructions for the block and entire process for making a "Twister" quilt were fully published in a 1990's Australian magazine. The acrylic block and their written instructions/patterns are copyrighted. I dont know the ins and outs of foreign usage and copyrights but it was years before Twister was born.

have always wondered that too

This just made me laugh and laugh... Spot On Scissor Queen.

Not only patterns, but have you noticed that most every quilting book has the exact same binding and finishing instructions?

Just go the this site and borrow the pattern and quilt all you like without worrying about copyright. I send a donation to keep this site going. There is a list that covers just about any kind of quilt desing you could desire with the instructions and templates.
http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html

If you have the time sometime, go to a library and look thru some books about older and traditional quilts. These are all in the public domain. Use and adjust any you like.

Years ago I bought a book about 1001 quilt patterns. All old standards. That book alone could keep you busy for a lifetime.

I'll go look up the full name. It's no longer in print as far as I know, but you might find it in a library.

I just found "1001 Patchwork Designs" on Amazon. Oh, and started a thread to that book. It is still available.

You know, they need to start with a basic premise that any design in the public domain CAN NOT be later copyrighted by anyone. The person seeking the copyright should have to prove to the best of their ability that "Their" pattern did not exist prior to their making it.

Apparently you have not read HER rules about using HER PATTERNS!

Great answer.

Re: Marcia Hohn's site,
http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html
Most of the blocks on that site are traditional blocks. She would have to prove your work came from her site and not some other source for traditional blocks, which she probably could not do. HOWEVER, if you do get your info from her site, why not repect her copyright rules voluntarily, out of respect for all the work she has done compiling that info for others to use for free?

Here's the way I see it. I've got the same info somewhere in this sewing room, but I don't have the facilities to show someone a block, she does. So I don't owe her anything.