Originally Posted by
Barb in Louisiana
Copyright infringement has been discussed here several times. Each has their own opinion and then there is the law.
Edited to add: I shouldn't admit this, but I can recreate a lot of patterns using EQ or graph paper....most quilters can. I make changes to them so that I am not using a direct copy of the pattern so that I am not guilty of copyright infringement. Very often I find that the block that is the center core of the pattern is in public domain. Am I breaking the law because I start with their idea but don't end up with it? Who knows? Hope not. I understand not mass producing a pattern, but making one and raffling it, or if someone falls in love with it, letting them reimburse you for your time and expenses should be okay.
I can't see how you are in violation. One person told me that it is not possible to copyright geometric shapes. If so, I am not sure how people can claim copyright. I suppose we should all study copyright.gov. (I think that is the address.)
I, too have found that with EQ I can take a picture and recreate the pattern--and since it is usually just squares, triangles, and rectangles, I don't feel like I'm stealing either.
If it is complicated, like a Judy Neiermeyer, then, no, I couldn't begin to do that kind of thing on EQ. (Maybe someone could, but I'm not good enough yet.)
Even that "wild and goosey" block that a famous quilter designed is basically available on EQ and you can just print it in the size you need as a paper pieced block. The ones that come on EQ6 have 2, 4 and 6 geese in exactly the same layout and hers had 3, but it's pretty much the same block--just the number of geese is different.
Here's the choices that EQ 6 has on the first page of choices: [ATTACH=CONFIG]515736[/ATTACH]
So,change away...even little things and I can't see how the other person can say you took her/his idea.