public domain quilt blocks and patterns
 

How can one know if a block, or quilt, design is in public domain?

That is a VERY good question!! So many blocks are from the Civil War thru the 30's.

The quickest answer is everything prior to 1923 is in the public domain. There was no copyright law.
Next, anything from 1923 to 1963 for which copyright was not renewed.
Then, anything that was put directly into public domain by the originator.
And anything for which copyright laws do not apply.

For the rest, do some research. Public domain is one of the easier questions to resolve. Here's a start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain
http://www.teachingcopyright.org/han...lic-domain-faq
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview...omain/welcome/

A broader view of that last reference, covering NOLOs total copyright section, is here:
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/

Once you have all that info, start tracking down the first use of the block you have in mind. Try the MSU Quilt Index for samples, many are dated, of old quilts. There are also several websites that detail historical blocks and several well known books as well.

http://www.quiltindex.org/

I wondered the same thing as I am on a no buy concerning patterns,books, and magazines. This is as I am tired of copyright stuff so I will eliminate the issue from my quiltind. I have started researching and creating a master list. I am using internet, old catalogs like ladies art company, etc. It is slow going but someday I will get it done.

Thank you for the info.

Facts instead of opinions are always helpful.

I appreciate your question, but I am convinced that people are suffering over copyright questions unnecessarily. All quilts are based on squares, rectangles, triangles , circles or some variation of other shapes that exist in nature. I seriously doubt that it is possible to copyright how to put them together. Obviously, if you have written instructions for construction, no one should sell or give away your instructions without your permission. On the other hand, how many ways are there to put a nine patch together? froggyintexas

Froggyintexas has the right idea.......

Totally agree.

If you're looking for blocks to make for yourself, check out quilter's cache (www.quilterscache.com). The blocks themselves are not copywrited, but her directions for making them. She has some original blocks mixed in with the old ones, again, no problem for making into your own quilt, but don't give away or sell her directions.

I am with Froggy!

Thank you very much for the information. I don't understand why when material is produced, i.e. collegiate, cartoon characters, the producer must pay a copyright fee for the production of this material. Then if you use it to produce a quilt (or any other craft project) using this material, you can be charged a fee or have your items confiscated. It seems like that is a "double" collection.

The way I understand it is that you cannot take a "image" of that material and use it in any as your own. You can use the material however you choose. There would be no point in designing the material to sell if people could not make with it what they want. However the design on the material itself cannot be copied.

You are speaking of fabric with "licensed images" such as cartoon characters. You can use them yourself or as gifts but if you are going to use them commercially (for profit) you are supposed to purchase a "license" to do so. I just don't use them.

It makes me sad that this discussion of copyright has got so many quilters worried about getting in trouble. Please relax. Use the blocks you want to use. Just don't copy and distribute any purchased patterns that you have.

Why do we buy patterns? Can we not sell those quilts made from a pattern we buy? I gift most of my quilts, but if I did want to sell one, would I have to make up my own pattern???

I have tried to post a photo of a quilt posted on pinterest by a lady who too, was wondering who designed and or made the quilt.....I cannot post it here because I cannot post the photo because this board says the photo is copyrighted....therefore, I guess I will never know the designer/quilter in order to purchase her, I'm sure, copyrighted pattern.
Catch twenty two.

I'm in the "if it says copyright, in any way shape or form, I do not use it" camp. Too silly to be believed. They want your business, but don't use their products? Bah!! No thanks, there are too many in the world I can use without worrying I'll be sued by some spindly neck lawyer!!

I to, am so tired of this can't sell etc. I just do not buy any pattern that says I can't make and sell from the pattern. Give me a break! I ask the store to open pattern and if it says can't sell, I do not buy! One purse pattern actually said I could get permission from the person who designed the pattern to make and sell but had to pay a commission to her. Really!!!!!! That stayed in the store. I will design my own pattern.

Well said.

But it doesn't have to 'say' copyright anywhere at all for it to be covered by copyright...no © symbol, no words, no notification is necessary except for it to be "published", which really just means that someone other than the artist has seen it.