Pattern Use

[StevensonDesigns]

I am planning on doing a couple of craft shows next year and my question regards the selling of my work.

Am I allowed to sell pieces if I have used someone else's pattern? Or are other's patterns (like those found on this site in the pattern vault) only for private use?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Terry

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

Speaking for myself and from what I've read on sites and in articles, the pieces are okay to sell. I know of one article that I read that the person selling the piece actually stamped the pattern designer on the back of the piece. So I would think unless it is stated on the pattern, that it's okay to sell the piece, just not the pattern. For my patterns, I'd love someone to cut them and have good luck in selling the pieces, as I'm sure a lot of designers would feel the same way.

[Andy]

Ditto what Chris said. Unless the pattern says "for private use only" I always assume the finished works will be sold. I hope you get rich and famous!

Andy

[wood-n-things]

That is my understanding as well..Just do NOT share, give, trade, or sell the patterns. You will be good to go.

[Rolf]

I think if you want to mass produce, i.e. laser you should get the designers permission.

[StevensonDesigns]

Thanks for the answers guys. I will NEVER buy a laser cutter as I believe it takes away from the artistry of our work and the only sharing of patterns will hopefully be my own one day. LOL So, I should be good to go.
Thanks again,
Terry

[muleskinnerldb]

if ya use my pattern and sell the finished work that would be a great honor to me i've really enjoy makin and sharing my patterns and i agree on what the others have said about personnel use most will put that on the patterns if they intend it for you to use it and not sell finished product.

[lolwood]

I've had the same question as Terry but I get a little confused over the term "for personal use". That can be defined in several ways. Personal use of the pattern for giving away the cut piece, personal use for selling pieces cut from the pattern,?? I saw one pattern book that not only said the pattern couldn't be resold (I agree with this) but that pieces made from the patterns were not to be resold. That book is the only one where I've seen such a statement. I'd like to sell pieces I've cut from other folks patterns, not to get rich but just to supplement my little Social Security check. Can I or can I not? Ladywoodrat

[lolwood]

I didn't mean to post the same thing twice.

[Jediscroller]

The term "for personal use only" infers that the finished product may not be sold. That being said, I do put on my patterns a note to professional copying services that up to 5 copies may be made for the personal use of the purchaser. This is not the same thing. I only added this statement after I learned that some copy centers will not copy something with a copyright without this statement. The bottom line is that you may sell finished products produced from a pattern. There is legal precedent regarding this as well. Part of the court's opinion in Winfield vs. Gemmy Industries was that the copyright only protects the 2 dimensional rendition of the design, not the 3 dimensional realization of the design. As far as books with a statement such as you mentioned, that's what returns are for. I won't buy them.