Question regarding pattern usage - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

gvr0213 · 10-16-2009, 09:02 PM

Hi all -

I have a question for the group -

Is it legit to use part of a pattern you have purchased to make other projects.

Here is what I want to do - I purchased a pattern that includes a wedding theme - I want to take part of this theme (the bride and groom) and make a heart shaped Christmas ornament.

I have no problem doing this as a gift for a family member, however, if it turns out looking good can I sell this ornament at craft fairs?

Thanks in advance

George

Chris "The Wood Artist" · 10-16-2009, 09:41 PM

The simple answer is yes. Of course that isn't always the case. I won't go into detail as I don't even understand the whole "copyright" thing. But it sounds as if you aren't going to be selling or posting the pattern you come up with and are only going to sell the finished piece. As is in most cases, that is okay as that that's the idea of getting patterns anyway. So you should be okay. Just to be on the safe side though, you may want to try and get permission if at all possible from the maker of the original desgin. But then of course you bought the pattern and probably bought it with the interest of making the piece and selling it. I hope this helps. I'm sure you will get some more responses to this from someone with more knowledge than I. Jediscroller (Kevin) would be a great person to get into contact with on this issue.

wood-n-things · 10-16-2009, 10:10 PM

I agree. Yes, so long as you are not trying to sell the pattern or a derivative of the pattern as your own work. Finished pieces may be sold and patterns may be altered to fit your needs...Unless they say specifically "For Personal Use Only" even then some of the designers I've come across did not intend for that phrase to mean no selling of items...LOL Now you confused or what?

make the heart and sell 100 of them...just don't share/sell the pattern.

JohnB · 10-17-2009, 01:00 AM

G'day George,
don't sweat it mate. You've got the pattern by legitimate means so it's yours to do with as you wish.
The only caveat is that the pattern, itself, can't be resold.

So knock them suckers out and spread some cheer, and earn a few bob.

Harlan · 10-19-2009, 11:14 PM

I agree with JohnB. We have an instructor in our area that teaches a class to make a Sam Maloof rocking chair in a week. He said that something made of wood cannot be pattented. Therefore, it might apply to the object that you have made from someone else's pattern. After all you are not selling the pattern only a wooden object that you have made. Just don't claim to have designed it.

marshall · 10-19-2009, 11:51 PM

George : we are all in agreement so go for it buddy.........Marshall

gvr0213 · 10-20-2009, 12:07 PM

Thanks for all the replies -

Quite busy outside the shop these days - will post a pic of the ornament when I finish it - probably over the weekend.

George

wood-n-things · 10-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Looking forward to it.

10-16-2009, 09:02 PM	#1
gvr0213 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 69	Question regarding pattern usage Hi all - I have a question for the group - Is it legit to use part of a pattern you have purchased to make other projects. Here is what I want to do - I purchased a pattern that includes a wedding theme - I want to take part of this theme (the bride and groom) and make a heart shaped Christmas ornament. I have no problem doing this as a gift for a family member, however, if it turns out looking good can I sell this ornament at craft fairs? Thanks in advance George

10-16-2009, 09:41 PM	#2
Chris "The Wood Artist" Craftsman & Designer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Smith, AR USA Posts: 218	The simple answer is yes. Of course that isn't always the case. I won't go into detail as I don't even understand the whole "copyright" thing. But it sounds as if you aren't going to be selling or posting the pattern you come up with and are only going to sell the finished piece. As is in most cases, that is okay as that that's the idea of getting patterns anyway. So you should be okay. Just to be on the safe side though, you may want to try and get permission if at all possible from the maker of the original desgin. But then of course you bought the pattern and probably bought it with the interest of making the piece and selling it. I hope this helps. I'm sure you will get some more responses to this from someone with more knowledge than I. Jediscroller (Kevin) would be a great person to get into contact with on this issue. __________________ Chris The Wood Artist "Keep Scrolling Along" Free Patterns: www.myspace.com/_woodartist_ and http://thewoodartist.blogspot.com/

10-16-2009, 10:10 PM	#3
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	I agree. Yes, so long as you are not trying to sell the pattern or a derivative of the pattern as your own work. Finished pieces may be sold and patterns may be altered to fit your needs...Unless they say specifically "For Personal Use Only" even then some of the designers I've come across did not intend for that phrase to mean no selling of items...LOL Now you confused or what? make the heart and sell 100 of them...just don't share/sell the pattern. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

10-17-2009, 01:00 AM	#4
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day George, don't sweat it mate. You've got the pattern by legitimate means so it's yours to do with as you wish. The only caveat is that the pattern, itself, can't be resold. So knock them suckers out and spread some cheer, and earn a few bob. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

10-19-2009, 11:51 PM	#6
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,113	George : we are all in agreement so go for it buddy.........Marshall __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

10-19-2009, 11:14 PM	#5
Harlan Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: La Puente, CA Posts: 35	I agree with JohnB. We have an instructor in our area that teaches a class to make a Sam Maloof rocking chair in a week. He said that something made of wood cannot be pattented. Therefore, it might apply to the object that you have made from someone else's pattern. After all you are not selling the pattern only a wooden object that you have made. Just don't claim to have designed it.

10-20-2009, 12:07 PM	#7
gvr0213 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 69	Thanks for all the replies - Quite busy outside the shop these days - will post a pic of the ornament when I finish it - probably over the weekend. George

10-20-2009, 04:40 PM	#8
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	Looking forward to it. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

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