ckcowl

it becomes 'stealing' when you use someone's copyrighted design, display it or try to sell it as your own...if you are going to use someone else's design you need to obtain permission to display or sell the quilt, and give credit where credit is due.

Carol J.

When you see a design in a magazine or book you bought,it is fair game and there for you to use. The only thing wrong to do would be to use the pattern and copy it and sell it. If a designer wants you to pay for the pattern, she won't print it out for the public to see and use.
If you pay for a quilt design, copy it and share it with others, that is wrong and against copyright laws. You have to ask permission from the designer to use her design and if she gives permission for you to share without paying more, that is legal, but she has the right to ask you to pay for more patterns. Even if you do use a pattern from a book or magazine, it is proper to give the designer the credit so others can go to her for the pattern. If it is your own creation, you will want others to honor your work and not say it was theirs when you know you made it up in the first place.

Carol J.

oma66

What about on this site...does anyone here displaying their quilts in pictures mind if anyone else uses their design ideas? I certainly don't. Even if I were selling my designs - the patterns are on graph paper in my 3 ring binder and in my head - I would have no problem with someone else copying my quilt. However, I do know as an artist that I can not copy the work of another artist and sell it. I can however copy the work of another artist and hang it on my wall, stating that the orginaly work was by so and so on the back of the canvas without a problem.

If anyone out there likes my quilts and wants to copy them, go ahead; I consider it a compliment. There, now it is in writing. lol.

raedar63

I personally think there are bigger things to worry about in the world........

oma66

you are right

quiltmom04

Plus, it's unethical to teach a class unless everyone PURCHASES the pattern.You can't buy one and photocopy it. It's also not acceptable to make a photocopy of a quilt pattern for a friend so she doesn't have to buy a pattern.

katiebear1

Since I don't sell my quilts (just give some as gifts) I don't worry much about it.

AVQuilter

I found a free pattern on the Internet for a holiday table topper. Our guild has a workshop once a month and I thought this would be a really nice pattern for class. I e-mailed the designer from platbranchdesigns..Belinda to ask if I could copy and use her design for our class. She was so very nice and seemed surprised that I would asked for permission. We had a very nice chat and she is wonderful and granted my request. I would have never considered doing this any other way. Free from the Internet for personal use is one thing but me making copies for a class is another just as stated above. We need to respect a designer's work.

bearisgray

This comment will probably get deleted - but I'm going to make it anyway.

I think all inspiration comes from our Creator.

I also think it is "appropriate" for those that make extra efforts to design/make/build/market something to have their efforts rewarded and protected.

vintagemotif

Oma66, I agree with you. If anyone wishes to copy my work, go right ahead. I too consider it a compliment.