how to copy a pattern . legale

[minowevie]

Hi folks , I know this has been talked about many times. but my search , has not come up with the right answer for me. How can i copy a pattern out of one of my OLD books, and send it to a memmber who whats it. legule. i looked in the book, but dummy me just can't find the answer. thanks Evie

[Back2Jake]

Well, the answer you probably already know Evie is that you can't do it legally. The material in that book, old or not, belongs in that book, and is copyright protected. You can tell the person who wants the pattern the name of the book and the publisher, and they can purchase the book for the pattern.

I suppose it all comes down to our ethics when we decide to share patterns, music, videos etc. Some don't think twice in taking a photo of anothers work, or the pattern from a forum or website and "modifying it". They justify their actions in their own minds. However, think of the person who originated that material, be it pattern, photo, writing, music or whatever.... and do the right thing.

Take care
Toni

[CanadianScroller]

Each country has different copyright laws.
I know that depending on the date the copyright was registered some publications can be deemed public domain, unless the copyright was renewed.

Cornell University has this paper that may help.

You may try contacting the publisher, if they are still around.
I have some old publications from the 40s that I believe have expired.
If I want to distribute them legally I would try and contact the publisher to see if they renewed the copyright
If they did not they would be in the public domain.
Incidentally I did contact the publisher of the publication and they never got back to me So legally I am no further ahead. but maybe I am morally
I could check with the US copyright office to see if it has been renewed but I haven't had the time.

If the book was published before 1977 and doesnt have a copyright notice and the original publisher did not apply after, then that is public domain and free to use.

You can email me Evie if you need help figuring out what I just wrote.

[minowevie]

Thank you Carl, and Tonie. that points me in the right derection. you know things like this just never intered my mind, untill I came into this forum. but with all the knowledg i have learned here, I have a bigger apprecheation for those who do make pattens. and wont to do the right thing. for that is something i like about my caricture, and don't wont to lose that, so i will do my best to live up to that. But i have to say, it sure is tempting, to just copy the darn thing, and make a new friend. But, maybe i would lose more good friends in the proses. right.(not to mention go to jail) gosh its hard to be humbale, when you wont to be popular. now if i could only learn how to spell. your friend Evie

[Jediscroller]

If a work was published prior to 1923, it's public domain Evie. Published prior to 1978 and not renewed, public domain. There's a lot more gray after that, published vs. unpublished works, copyright notice or not, etc. etc. As an example, I have thousands of patterns from an old woodworking encyclopedia (20 volumes worth) published in the late 1800's that are all public domain. If I ever get motivated enough, I may get around to scanning and cleaning up some of them. Drop me a note with the publisher's name and the information from the copyright notice in the front of the book. The ISBN would be helpful as well if it has one.

Carl, regarding your situation, while I'm not familiar with Canadian law, it is very similar to the US (I forget the name of the international treaty on copyrights off the top of my head). If you can show a good faith effort in contacting the owner of the copyright to ascertain it's status, you're ok. Of course, what constitutes a "good faith" effort is largely left up to the interpretation of the judge.

[minowevie]

well i do have a new question. or statment. I herd resontly, that anything you do, is already copy righted. ??? don't you have to copy right something, in a prosses. inter your idea somewhere. this is separat, from my last post. but it brought up something i am doing. I am thinking of a new scrolling prosses. and am thinking of righting a book ( ok lauph) but i am wondering about the prosses. do i have to inter my work in a copy right place. ? sorry stupid here. thanks Evie

[minowevie]

Kevin, thanks, I will desifer what you said, and look in detail at the front of the book, to see what it says. and also, I think the book is still in the public sales. so even though the maker is passed, I would emagin the rights wint to the family. mmmmmmmm so much to learn.

gosh Kevin, I sure wish I could see the old 1800s patterns you have. that is just my cup of tea. as far as i am consered, those are dimons in the ruff. your so lucky. your friend Evie

[Gill]

Just to complicate matters, Evie, bear in mind that different rules apply to European publications. Basically, the rule (since 2003) is that copyright resides with the creator until 70 years after death, although it is a bit more complicated than that. I've got enough legal experience to know better than to explain in greater detail, lest someone should act in reliance on my advice! You should always either ask permission from the creator to use the published material or seek professional legal advice.

Insofar as registering your own copyright, Evie, I'd suggest you have a look at this link.

Gill

[minowevie]

Gill thank you so much, that leads me in the right deriction. I didn't have anything up to now. thanks again. your friend Evie.

[Forester21]

Here's another option to copying the pattern - provide the person with the name of the book, and have them go to their local library to see if it is available. Not sure about other States, but here in Michigan if my library doesn't have the book themselves, they can sometimes borrow it from another library in the state. I don't pay postage even - just pick the book up at my library and return it there.
Theresa E