For Me ... Important Question About Copying

[MyNewHobby]

I belong to another group ... Rock Tumbling Hobby and everyone shares their work and designs and everything else. In the past if I have seen something that really catches my eye, I will try to do it to see if I can.

I just want to make sure that if I see something I would like to try, I am not infringing on anyone else or stepping on any toes. I also ask this as if I do make something, I would like to feel free to post it here so I can get critiquing, criticism, and all the help I can use.

Thanks Loads!!

[King's X]

This has come up before. Usually if someone does not want you to copy it, they will not post it here. Sometimes, they will post a picture about it, but you ask them for directions, pattern or plans. You will either get nothing in your request or they will flat out ignore you (it has happened). But remember that any plan change be changed a little to meet your design needs and it will look totally different. I mean how many of the old cravers copied someone like Al Stohlman, but changed the design differently just slightly? I bet a lot of people.

I believe the best bet would be to PM the orginator and kindly ask. Go from there.

[Tina]

I belong to another group ... Rock Tumbling Hobby and everyone shares their work and designs and everything else. In the past if I have seen something that really catches my eye, I will try to do it to see if I can.

I just want to make sure that if I see something I would like to try, I am not infringing on anyone else or stepping on any toes. I also ask this as if I do make something, I would like to feel free to post it here so I can get critiquing, criticism, and all the help I can use.

Thanks Loads!!

Hi there and I for one is glad you asked:-)

I only speak for my self here...

I keep putting a copyright symbol on the things I make and post here (and anywhere else). I always promise my customers that as far as I go this will be the only one in the hopes that the copyright symbol will be respected and no one will make copys of my work. Legally I have the copyright to any original work I make/draw etc.

I Do share patterns every now and again by posting original patterns in the pattern area for anyone to use.

I know it's "a djugle out there" but truth be told,

-it's OK to use an idea...Make it your own and don't rip it of is my advice:-)

[King's X]

Exactly. Very nicely said by the soon to be foiegner. Just kidding Tina.

She is one of those members who does a lot of her own design work and I am glad she chimed in because I had her mind when you started this thread. Since I am artisically challenged when it comes to actually putting pencil to paper, I take the next appropriate step. I have a couple of projects that will hopefully be published (if they get accepted) by LCSJ magazine. The original pattern is not my work, but I have made a couple of changes. I contacted both original makers and asked for their permission to use the "original" pattern with my take on it. I will then give them credit in the article. I believe that is the only respectful thing to do.

Just like many things here that I've learned, I always give credit to those that have taught me something related to leather like Master Sansei Bob "Hidepounder" Parks. And, I will always put forward a lesson to someone new, but I will make sure that they know who taught me. I just think it is the appropriate thing to do.

My .02 cents.

[Rayban]

Tina, do you have to register such work with a copyright office of some sort?

[Tina]

Tina, do you have to register such work with a copyright office of some sort?

Simple answer...No:-) If you want to have the option to take cases to court you might do that to make the case easier but, as long as it is puplished in one shape for or another it's easy for to prove who was the first one. A creator always own the original material if you don't sell the rights:-)

Now, IF I have red the law right you have the right to copy if the artist/creator has been dead more than 75 years (in the US...Other coutries/continets might be different)...I'm sure there will be exseptions to this law, all I know is that it should be OK to copy the old masters like Da Vinici, Michelangelo etc...There is no one alive making a claim:-)

Edited July 30, 2009 by Tina

[Spence]

Copyright Laws

With respect, Tina

I recently had to do some research for a friend of mine, concerning her artwork. Just putting the "Circle C" on a piece of work or mailing it to oneself, does not constitute a legal copyright. An application has to be submitted to the US Copyright Office and a fee (?) paid. From what I could learn, it can take years for your copyright to come back approved.

What my friend does now, and I seem to remember you doing it, is to place your name across the print, to interrupt the pattern in such a way as to make it difficult to trace or copy.

[TwinOaks]

Back to the OP....

Short answer: If you're making ONE to improve your skills, AND it's for you (personal use), then there shouldn't be a problem.

Long answer: Do a search for [ "copyright infringement"]. copy and paste everything in the bracket in the search window. That should help you find the multipage thread on the topic.

[Crystal]

I found this: http://www.whatiscopyright.org/ Some interesting reading.

Crystal

[Rayban]

New Hobby.....when I see something on this forum or on someone's web site that I like enough to want to try making for myself, I usually mention my intentions to that maker....(so far, no lawsuits), but I don't believe I have to.