Copyright on patterns?

Ames

Hi all,

I've recently gone back to crafting as a way of helping my mental health. Which leaves me wondering what to do with all the mug hugs etc that I've been knitting! I'd like to (try to) sell them on ebay, so that the hobby becomes cost neutral. But as I'm following patterns from books does that mean that I could get into trouble for copyright infringement? I'm also thinking of things like flowers that could be hairclips or brooches, which are a bit harder to tweak the design of.

Sorry if this has been covered dozens of times before.

Hermia

You could get into big trouble for copyright infringement. Whether you get caught is something else, but I wouldn't chance it. A lot of craft books will even say that selling to raise money for charity is only allowed in very limited amounts. As I understand it some people do contact the publisher to ask for permission, but that is usually to sell on behalf of a charity. You either need to find copyright-free patterns online, design your own or see if there is anything you like in Craftseller magazine.

Ames

I thought that would be the case, thanks. I'll just use the books to learn techniques and come up with my own designs.

Ames

Just in case this is useful to others, looking on etsy there seems to be lots of patterns for sale which give permission for the finished product to be sold.

glynisrose

The copyright to the patterns will always stay with the maker but as you are knitting them yourself I cannot see the problem!! Unless it is a distinctive design that has a 'personal use only' label attached or one of the Warner Bros or Disney designs (they are VERY strict on copyright!!) I can't see a problem with selling stuff.

[Deleted User]

Most patterns specifically state that you cannot use them for commercial purposes so you will not be able to sell them unless the pattern is copyright free.