As
with every designer, my designs and patterns are very personal to
me. I have offered my designs in books for quilters to enjoy for over
nearly 20 years. From the start people have used them, without permission on their
own products for profit on, you name it. Other Hawaii companies also importing
quilted items from the Philippines have thought nothing about using them. I
know of quilt teachers who photocopy patterns for their students and many quilters
who have "shared patterns". It's hard for me to understand why people
can't realize that to do so is no less than stealing from the designer. Everyone clamors for more books, more patterns. Where do they think the money to publish more
comes from? Certainly not from a book that sells to one person and is "shared"by
10.
I've
especially resisted putting the large patterns on the market for the
past 10 years, because of the "borrowing" and "sharing".
With so much "sharing" of patterns, the time and expense to offer them is probably not justified.
Designers,
like myself, make our living (pay mortgages, living expenses
(like eating), put kids through school, etc.) by whatever talent we
may have in
creating designs and patterns for those who feel they do not have that
same
talent or the time or desire to design their own. I draw a pattern because
it
speaks to me. You buy that pattern because it speaks to you.
So
these, without exception, are the rules when purchasing a pattern.
When
you buy a pattern you are purchasing the right to use the pattern
to make something for yourself or as gifts for family and friends, or
to give it as a
gift to someone - you could even resell it as long as you don't keep
copies for
yourself (the same is true when giving it as a gift. You may use it
to enter your
work in a contest or exhibit as long as your give design credit where
credit is due.
Credit the designer for the design - you're getting the credit and possible
prize
money for the choice of colors, placement and workmanship. Good for
you!
If
you want to use the design to teach a class, have your students buy
their own pattern. I always have a teachers discount for 6 or more patterns
of the same design, mailed together. That way I make some money and so do you
and we both get a new group of quilters excited about quilting...the Hawaiian
way.
What
you don't buy, when you purchase a pattern or a book of patterns
is the right to sell what you make for profit (without permission or
royalty payment), "share"the design with someone else, publish the
design under your
own name, or hand out free patterns (without permission).
Will
I or any other designer find out that a pattern has been "shared"
or used for profit , probably not. But you'd be surprised that occasionally
we DO
find out. You're on the honor system. The upshot of all the "sharing"is
that the
desire to create is diminished, resulting in less designs being offered
over time. It
is only by selling in volume that designers, like myself, who self publish
can afford
to continue. So, please to respect our work which you enjoy and to help
us
protect it so that we may continue to offer you many more splendid books
in
the years ahead.
Whereas,
I know that none of you reading this would ever "share"
patterns ;-}, I hope that you will educate others who may.
