Question about traditional quilt patterns
 

I was on a web-site today that had lots of traditional block patterns like the maple leaf, log cabin just to name a couple. At the bottom of each pattern it said block could not be used for sale without permission because they had a copyright to it. I don't think that would be right because some of these blocks are probably a hundred or so years old.

I want to make some quilts to sell at a flea market or craft show, but don't want to get into trouble doing so.

Anyone know how that could be. I know there are probably some that were designed by that person but I do know of one that was around about 40 years ago, it was of a ship with sails. Because I had that pattern back when my oldest daughter was a baby and she just turned 44.

yep, i agree with some of the older ones for sure. free blocks would be a better bet for you.

They have the copyright to their instructions. That's all. You can't copy her instructions and sell the pattern. You can make as many quilts as you want and sell them.

it's her (pattern/process) you can not duplicate & sell- you can certainly make quilts any way you want- using what ever blocks you want to use & sell the quilts...it is generally only a particular (copyrighted) design you can not sell- if someone makes a particular design-that is identifiable as theirs- they have the right to restrict the marketing of it- if you make your own quilt designs you can sell them all day long. it's the (new twist) that someone comes up with that is (theirs) :)

So how could anyone tell how I constructed a block after the item is complete?

A technique can't be copyrighted. It's only the written instructions that you can't copy (without permission).

I know Bonnie Hunter (quiltville.com) that you can make any of her quilts and sell them. Best of all, her patterns are free.

Only the written instructions AND the particular graphics that the designer has drawn should be considered copyright material. In other words, you can't make copies of the web page and hand it out to others or teach a class from them or include them in a pattern you are going to sell.

Jan in VA