Row by row experience
 

This event which includes the 50 states and Canada started this past Sunday and will continue to Sept. I plan on getting some of the free patterns from Quilt shops in my area. But I'm wondering how people would feel sharing these free patterns from participating shops in other states. For example, I'm signed up for the mug rug swap in July. Can I send copies of these patterns to my buddy who might be in Texas? I know I would love to get a pattern from across the country. I may not use it, haven't used all the patterns from previous years but enjoy collecting them. What's your opinion?

these patterns are offered free by the shops to entice customers to come to their shops. this is the same as the free patterns offered by websites. they are still copyright patterns. thus, they cannot be shared here.

check the copyright notices on the patterns you collect.
unless they expressly grant permission to make and share copies then you shouldn't.

check with the shops offering the patterns to see if
(1) they'd be willing to give you extra(s) to share; or
(2) if they sell online, do they offer the patterns on their website; or
(3) do they know whether/which other shops will also offer those patterns; or
(4) do they know of any other source from which your friend(s) can get those patterns.