Saturday, December 13, 2014

Copyright, Copy Wrong


I am no expert on copyright law. I let one notion guide my actions: stealing is wrong.

I write knitting patterns. Not many, but some. And I sell those patterns. (You can find them on Ravelry.) I would hope that no one would make copies of my patterns without my permission. I would hope that if a knitter is interested in knitting one of my designs then that knitter would be willing to pay a modest fee for the effort I put into the design and pattern.

In the course of my knitting life, I have purchased many patterns. I mentioned one in a recent blog post: the Classic Elite pattern, Ruins of Dunstaburgh Castle vest. A few days later, a friend of mine told me she found the pattern quite interesting but she was having trouble finding a copy to purchase. She asked if I’d be willing to send her a copy.

I responded, “I feel uncomfortable copying the pattern, but I’d be happy to give it to you. I don’t plan to use it again.” So, I sent off the pattern to its new home. I’m thinking that I’ve at least held to the spirit of copyright if not to the letter.

2 comments:

  1. Amy, this is definitely an area of concern. When I teach, if I want to use a copy written pattern I make sure the syllabus and/or the supply list clearly states at least 2 sources where the pattern can be purchased. Recently I came across a picture I had torn out and saved from a very old knitting magazine of a pattern I was really interested in. I contacted the yarn company and was able to get the pattern directly from them.

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  2. Good idea, Lindy, to contact the yarn company.

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