some of these quilt pattern designers have gotten way out of hand that is why I do not buy magazines anymore I think they are the worst but how about buying clothes patterns and making and selling those to someone quilt pattern makers would even call an apron pattern illegal I think this is ruining the quilting industry as I know of several quilt shows that use to be regular but are no more as I have heard people say they did not want the responsibility of someone hanging a quilt that they shouldn't it only takes one rotten apple in the barrle to ruin it for everyone

well said pinkberrykay I don't know who some of these designers think they are why even sell the pattern if they don't want it used I have gotten tired of their greedy ways and now some of us even exchanges patterns we just can't print them for sale but we can give them away and if you want to look into this even further on most of these patterns it is not even theirs have you ever checked on the spinoffs first stack and whack spinoff one block wonder
another square dance had a pattern for us to make on template plastic then spin off twister big price increase they spplied the template there are very many more as I have lots of magazines dated back to the early 80's and you would be surprised at the spinoffs that keep popping up and these are the very people not wanting their patterns used

When a pattern is SOLD, it then becomes the property of the buyer. When you sell a quilt, you are selling your time and work (NOT the pattern). When a pattern designer says you can sell - BUT only x number - it is because they are trying to also sell a different pattern for production (you can see this on some web sites - two different prices on the same pattern). But copy laws are very simple - once the pattern is mass produced and sold - the designer has NO control over it. Now if a designer does NOT SELL a pattern, but only loans it out for you to use one time - the designer still OWNS this pattern (no money changed hands), then you can NOT sell it.

I would do nothing.

I agree with Tartan and would not want to be the quilt police

I'm just thinking from a practical standpoint . Let's say someone was not supposed to use a particular pattern. I'm SURE the time and materials that went into a quilt was not going to be adequately reimbursed by the cost of the quilt - at least not for the quilts I've seen sold at craft fairs. So, let's pay someone for the work and ability they used to make a quilt and throw in the design for free. How's that?

Why, oh why, is this still being talked about? This subject has been beaten to death; please, let a sleeping dog stay that way. Thank you. GiGi

AMEN!!! GiGi

Thank You! G

I think that when someone buys something, it is theirs to do what they want to with it. If the designer doesn't want people making and selling things from thier pattern, then I think they are cutting their own throats because I buy most of my patterns because I saw something that someoneelse made. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

I agree 100%. The designer may say on the pattern that you can't sell the PATTERN -- but not what you do with it.

Nothing!!!!

I believe claiming someone else's design as your own is definitely infringement on copyright. You cannot claim to have created the design. You can, however, use the pattern to make and display or sell a quilt---you just can't claim it as your own original design.

Why do quilt designers sell their patterns if they don't want anyone to make the quilt?

I made a quilt and thought I was really smart to come up with the design. Well what should I see later the same quilt . I dont know if they made it like me. I did a short cut. lol I did not sell it but If I wanted to I would. How can someone do a pattern of a quilt that was made in 1800 and all of a sudden it belongs to them and we cant make it and sell it? As my grandmother would say " Hogwash". Now if it's a new design of something I do try and be respectful of that, But I think it is taken a little to far. If I pay for the pattern . Then I should be able to use it for whatever.

I agree with the answers about this. If this is a published design there is no way the designer can tell you what to do with it.

i believe you can't sell the pattern has nothing to do with your quilt

Because there are always new people reading the items on this board, or there are new quilters reading. Have a heart!

I agree totally--I have too many problems of my own to run around worrying about what other people are doing.

really most of this is a bunch of garbage and it all started by an article in McCalls quilting before then I subscribed to every quilt magazine out there since then I get no quilt magazines do not enter or go to quilt shows so I don't worry about it there are so many free patterns on the internet there is no need to even buy one I could not understand why that woman was wanting her patterns in a magazine then coming back that if you made a quilt using one they could not even hang in the local library when people quits buying their patterns then they will change their minds personally if I designed a pattern I would be proud to see someone using it I would know it was liked

have been reading a similiar situation (copyright/selling) on another site recently....boy it sure can be complicated. I did learn from reading some of the posts there though, that indeed there are several (thankfully very few) "designers" who "forbid" selling of their designs.........and I understand that Disney is notorious for prosecuting for using their fabrics for items to be sold..........Just thought I would throw that into the mix. As far as the one seen for sale....I, like you, would have just walked by too.

It is all very confusing to me. What is keeping me from copying someone's pattern, renaming it and selling it? I see so many quilt patterns that are "recycled" with a different fabric and being sold and a "new? design.

This is my opinion only and is not intended to offend anyone, but discussing and re-discussing the copyright issue is like beating a dead horse.

I agree with Tartan. Why should we, as quilters, waste our time policing what other people do with patterns, etc. I don't have enough time for my as own quilting as it is, so I don't bother with trying to police what other quilters are doing. However, making and selling items with copyright fabric, i.e., disney, collegiate, is a different issue than making a quilt with your fabric from a known designer's pattern. Let it drop people and get on with your own quilting.

I just don't understand as maryellen2 ask a question that I have ask may times there is never an answer the subject just gets changed but why oh why can someone take Bethany Reynolds pattern stack and whack and rename it and sell it under another name one block wonder and that is not the only one there are dozens and I think if we could only have an explanation would clear it up for all of us we keep hearing how unlawful for us as quiltmakers but why do we see all of these spin offs would love an explanation thank you

Perhaps that quilter contacted the designer and asked permission? As a quilt shop owner, I have sold samples made from patterns, and still do...I am not/was not mass-producing and no longer needed them. I have told many designers that when purchasing patterns direct and have never had an issue. I also wholeheartedly agree with Tartan...

I think if you apply this to all crafts across the board... You would no longer be able to have any craft fairs or sale of any kind. No handmade purses, pillows, or any birdhouses that we create from patterns from any source.

May I ask why YOU feel the need to do anything?

Thank you! My response was not that kind!

One more comment-------------just how ORIGINAL can any quilt design be? We deal with geometric shapes that have existed since God created the universe. Most "new" designs I've seen are old traditional blocks augmented with even more old traditional blocks. Sometimes in new fabrics, some times in new colors, sometimes in new sizes.

I would not do anything at all.

no, it really wasn't. And since you asked, I will tell you. I am trained as a scientist/clinician and had to conduct then write up original research to obtain my doctorate. As almost anyone in any research area can tell you, plagiarism is really a major issue. Given that you "publish or perish" if you are in research, your very livelihood depends on avoiding plagiarizing anyone or having anyone plagiarize your work. So, I'm sensitive to that. Plus, it was applique and original, not a simple nine-patch, as you intimated. And I love this woman's work and learned her technique in class. So, right or wrong, I feel like she's a personal friend and am at least psychically watching out for her. Third, I was raised by a true, evil sociopath and as a result, I am overly super-ego bound, so that is why I think of these things. I worry about everyone in a psychological attempt to undo the evil my father strewed liberally.

And, to end it, I do not understand why some responses seem so angry and others mean. I was taught, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing. If you are tired of this subject, you had the choice not to open the topic. Walk on by, or as several said (and I heard as hurtful though they may not have been intended as such), MYOB.

now, I'll probably have incited a war. I'm sorry. Can I blame it on power surges? and stress? I really do like this site and try to respect everybody's point of view.

I don't know many quilters who buy patterns and follow them to the letter. IF I buy a pattern (which is rare) there are always changes I want to make in the design. I never make 2 quilts alike and never buy a pattern that limits what I can do with it. Quilters are creative people who use patterns for inspiration--not as something written in stone that must be followed!

this subject has been discussed over and over WHO CARES?

I like your response ghostrider...

I do believe that that statement implies that you cannot resell the pattern.......not the quilt made from it.

We buy the pattern to make quilts....did the designer think We were going to just gaze at her design???? Enough already!!! If I bought it, she made her money and has no say about it after that. Chevy doesn't tell me where to drive, Hellman's doesn't tell me where to eat. If this keeps up they can keep their designs. I have enough magazines to keep me busy for a hundred years.

I think that most copywright language means that the pattern cannot be sold. Never heard of not selling the finished project. Even the copyrighted language does not mean a hill of beans unless they have legally gotten the pattern copyrighted.

So true about the posting repeats. There is no way in the world I can keep up with all the fabulous ideas, questioning thoughts, designing issues, and just plain fun with all the postings on this wonderful forum. I would be spending hours each day, I have a life, a job and quilt, garden, have friends, a husband, grandkids that take up my time. What may be old news to some of us, may be a mind opener to others.

If I see repeats of discussion I will scan the replies or just not read them. In no way should a topic be "nipped in the bud" if it has been discussed before. Caustic replies most days make me smile - and some days I have to respond, but hey "if you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen". We are all equal on this board - lighten up people, keep your egos in your sewing room.

i agree!!!!!!!!!!!!

nycquilter- don't worry about what might seem negative responses. I agree with those that wouldn't do anything about the issue. If the quilter is doing something wrong, it will come back to haunt her/him. That being said, if you choose to pursue the issue, then do it and don't worry about someone else's opinion.

I bought a pattern once that stated that quilts made from the pattern were protected by copyright law. Does this mean, she owns the quilt. Funny thing, since buying that pattern, I have seen quite a few others that were the same- at least they looked the same. I hesitate to buy products from this designer now. The statement just seemed greedy and elitist to me.

It's just my opinion.

I have seen this topic on this board several times and usually read at least some of the posts. There are a lot of repeats. New people come on, we miss some of the posts and sometimes we just need a refresher. If you don't like the topic, don't read it, I say. It's not worth getting my shorts in a bunch.

Have a great day nycquilter! Stitch away and don't worry about anything else.