Originally Posted by
cherokeerose
How does a person obtain a copyright? Is it done on each pattern/design? I would think there is some type of paperwork or something they have to do to get the copyright.
How do we know if there is truly a legal copyright on a design/pattern or if someone is just stating they have a copyright.
This section of the copyright law discusses how a copyright/registration is obtained:
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap4.pdf
It is generally accepted that anytime someone creates something, it is protected under copyright (providing it is an original work). It is their intellectual property, and no part of the WORDS OR IMAGES may be reproduced for sale without their written permission. Whatever other wording a designer/author adds beyond that is just posturing on their part.
If infringement is suspected, the designer has to register their work with the copyright office in order to seek legal damages.