A lot of quilts use standard block patterns. If I 'invent' a new 16-patch block (which I did a couple of recently by putting the pieces together wrong!) can I copyright it? Are there any block formations at all which are copyrighted? What about the EQ-7 blocks? Which are in the public domain?

Another thought

My library has quilting books. I can borrow them and make a quilt from instructions in the book. Same thing for a cookbook? How about a book on furniture making? Jewelry? Think about self-help books with clever techniques for time management... or manners ... or wedding planning...

Why would anyone go to the library to get a book if they can't use it?

I can loan a book to a friend... do you see where this goes?

I inadvertently bought 2 of the same pattern. Is it legal for me to sell one of them?

Lending something is entirely different from reproducing it and reselling it. If you were to take that library book, copy it all down, and re-sell it...that's illegal. Taking the library book, using the instructions within it, and returning the book...that's completely legal.

Yes. But you cannot (for example) photocopy it and sell those copies.

makes me wonder why so many people thought it just fine that people remove patterns from magazines and sell them on Ebay. same thing to me. wrong!!!

How is it legal to remove patterns from magazines and sell them? Some people even make copies of some of those patterns and sell the copies of the appliques.

Thank you all for understanding what I was saying. I will continue to be vigilant about protecting the rights of the talented people who give us the patterns we love.

Oh how I agree with you on this. It is wrong wrong wrong in so many ways.

This post from HettyB has some good info. Here's a paragraph:
For those thinking about become designers and selling - copyrighting a quilt design is going to be very difficult – unless it is so radically new and innovative. I had come across this link only a couple of days ago. It is well worth a read. http://www.bravelittlechicken.com/qu...the-law-series.