Warning Patterns Artists

[JoanFrances]

It would appear that we must be more vigilant of where we post patterns we have designed.   It appears that there is someone who has decided it is okay to use your pattern and call it their own, just because they change one little piece.

 Merely changing a little area does not make a pattern your own creation.  There have been lawsuits over this type of thing and it isn't worth the trouble you can get yourself in, nor is it fair to do to another artist.  If you can't draw your own patterns, there are thousands of books available without taking someone else's work.  In addition to that, asking permission sometimes will get you the right to use a pattern, but it doesn't give you the right to claim it is your pattern after.  Believe me, if you are caught doing this, with the web being like it is, you will not have any place to hide.  There was a member on another forum who had done this and that person was quickly shunned by just about everyone.

There have been times that I have asked a member for the right to use a part of their pattern, and when I do, I have listed them as one of the artists.

We have been a great community here and have never had any problems, let's try to keep AOG that way.  

[Amber]

You know what's funny, some people don't get that it's actual property and that's it's not copacetic  to just go ahead and make the same thing. And the one person that I've met in person who does this, doesn't design any of their own work (it's all patterns from books or other people), and they just don't understand the effort that goes into making a pattern and how personal it is.

[JoanFrances]

The thing you have to be careful of too, is you must read what the artist has to say in their books about  use of the patterns in the book.  Some allow you to use the pattern only for a one time thing and sometimes they will say you can make up to a certain number of them like 5.  Most will say that you can not sell the finished products. 

Believe me, you never know who will be the one who will catch you and maybe turn you in to the corporate headquarters of the business who owns a copywrite.   Years ago I did Mary Kay, and had placed an ad in a newsletter advertising the fact that I could do gift baskets containing some of the products.  This newsletter was only circulated to 198 homes.  The ad ended up at Mary Kay's headquarters and I received a stern letter of repremand and a reminder that even the company name was copyrighted.  Low and behold they had every right to sue me if they choose to. The ad had been forwarded to them by someone who was angry with me for something that had nothing to do with Mary Kay what so ever. 

[ct4mom]

This is a great reminder and should be posted often as new glassers may not be aware of this and for the ones who forgot. Thanks Joan.

[Alan]

Now stickied - will show at the top of threads.

[Becki]

This doesn't just apply to stained glass patterns but finished work as well.  I'm going through some issues at the moment with this very topic.  It's extremely frustrating.

[Kev]

I've seen an example of this just recently. Unfortunately if someone wants your pattern bad enough, there is no real way to prevent it totally.  As you stated Joan, in many instances the designer will grant the right to use the pattern, and sometimes even give it to them for free. Sometimes they will even design a pattern for you for a small fee or for free. Other times, purchasing a published pattern will give them the right to create it, but as you said, there may or may not be stipulations as to how the finished product is treated ie: commercial vs noncommercial use. To claim a pattern as your own when it was previously posted originally on another site prior to the claimants claim of ownership, is truly not going to make you any friends in the glass community, and degrades your own integrity as an artist.

Take Notice: If you see a pattern posted anywhere..it's copyrighted. As soon as it's published/posted, it's automatically copyrighted to the owner. What the owner decides to allow with that right is up to them and them alone.

Kev

[JoanFrances]

  To claim a pattern as your own when it was previously posted originally on another site prior to the claimants claim of ownership, is truly not going to make you any friends in the glass community, and degrades your own integrity as an artist.

 Kev

Once it uncovered that you have done such a thing, the ball starts rolling and your name will fly around the circut of glassing sites pretty fast.  So, stop and think before you give into the temptation. 

[Kev]

A member here has since had their membership removed from this forum, as a result of a recent blatant copyright infringement. So, if there is a pattern or piece of art glass you feel you just can't live without, ask the artist for permission to use the design/technique, or if it is actually a pattern, ask for permission to use it or buy it. Patterns in our pattern gallery are free to use, though as a courtesy to the originator of the design, give them acknowledgment that they are the designer.

[Amber]

Wow! I'm not sure how the privacy thing would work in a case like this but does this old member have a blog or website? I have no idea if anyone is comfortable sharing that kind of info, and I'm probably less likely to have someone use a panel design of mine then some of you guys, but if someone was here to copy is there a way we as artists can know who so we can see if by chance they stole ideas from us?

[Kev]

My own personal opinion would be that it would be unethical of me or this forum to banter someones name publicly around the internet accusing them of something.

The team based it's decisions on information we had gathered, and then acted in what we believe is in the forum and our members best interest. If the person directly involved wishes to share that information with you on a private level, that is up to them.

I hope you understand and can see my reasoning.

Kev

[Amber]

I can understand, it's called being the bigger person *lol. No worries, I asked a tough question.... when it comes to releasing a name of someone who's done something like that you need to strike a balance. Me I would have chewed them up and spit them out *winks*, but then again that's probably exactly why you don't want to say 'who dunnit' :).

[Kev]

Their own actions will eventually come to light and will be a reflection of their integrity.

The glass community though large in followers, is small when it comes to passing of information.