Copyright Law
No matter what mailing list I have ever participated in, sooner or later, the subject of copyright law rears its ugly head. A while back, we had the self-named “Pattern Piggies” whose mission was to scoop up every possible design they could find and share the designs with each other, online. Since they were so busy with their illegal activities, one would wonder when any of them had time to pick up a needle. They were too busy giving someone else the needle.
No matter. “Sharing” is a word that has come to have a different meaning these days. A person will order a book or a pattern that is original to the writer or bookseller, and that person will “share” it with their friend, or their guild. This deprives the artist or other creative person of money lost to potential sales, and it also usurps their intellectual property rights. In this manner, “sharing” really equals “stealing” and “putting one over on” type of activity.
The copyright law is not concerned with the financial ramifications. They are concerned about intellectual property rights – that is, the rights that a creative person has to their own creation, in whatever form that may be, including paintings, sculpting, music, etc.
There are a lot of details to the law and some exceptions.
I would not be writing about this at all except that I was speaking with a needleworker who told me that she is posting patterns to a Flickr site because she is so angry that someone is selling old patterns of the same designs on eBay for $10. In her mind, she is doing a “good thing.” I told her that two wrongs don’t make a right. I guess at that point, I’d disagreed, and it was the end of the discussion.
Sometimes, I get the feeling that while people are told about copyright, they simply don’t care. They only want to do whatever they want, to gain popularity in groups, or for whatever reason. I will continue to do my best to express the idea that the law exists for a purpose. It’s not the first time I’ve taken an unpopular stance. Given the chance, I’d rather err on the side of truth and justice.
So, today, if you are inclined to be creative, why not start with a pencil and paper, or a photograph YOU have taken. You don’t have to be a bona fide ARTEEST to design something of your own. If you are having trouble getting started, take an art class. Most communities have them. There are also plenty of good art methods books, or how-to-paint, or how-to-quilt shows on TV. Go to your local library and check their resources and videos. Go to the bookstore, or friends, even take a ride in the country or look in your own backyard. Anything that has color, or grows, or moves can be inspiration for a new work. Be proud of what you do, and enjoy the process. We only go this way once.
Patricia Cummings
