those of you who have been wondering about how to copyright your designs should visit the U.S. copyright office web site.
A copyright once registered, is good for the life of the creater plus 70 years, at that time the item is placed in public domain where it is then accessable to anyone for any use. there is a filing fee, but if you file on line it is less than going through other channels.
the article about copyrights in the Sept/Oct 2010 McCall's quilting is very informative about the rules using a copyrighted item...the copyright office has tutorials about the process of getting the copyright in the first place.

Copyrights are important and most know the basics not to dos. I doubt I lose sleep over a quilt book or pattern I loaned to a friend or the quilt I made from a pattern and displayed at quilt guild.

If the quilt was made from a pattern and in our show, yes they need written permission in order to be entered into the show.