Angie's Rhapsody quilt takes 3rd place @ guild quilt show!

[Gloria H.]

Ricky, you are totally terrific. Thanks so much for the reply and the insight. The more I learn from this site, the more I want to try all the techniques. Right now I don't feel ready to enter things in a show, but I think that confidence will come thanks to all of you at TQS. Gloria in SE WI where Spring is busting out all over.

[Gloria H.]

Ricky, I just love your kind heart and generous spirit...thanks so much for being you and sharing yourself with us.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Gloria H.]

Ricky, Thank you for stating the issues about this subject so well. I read all through them today (I just found the forum) and was thinking about the copyright rules and such and was going to reply. You have confirmed exactly what I was thinking in such a wonderful easy way to understand.

[Gloria H.]

Thank you for clearing that up!

I have just one question, 'though it might actually be two:

On your quilt label (or for show purposes) how do you acknowledge that the idea or intellectual property is Ricky's?

I believe in giving credit where it is due and I know I would never have come up with the quilt I am working on without the very specific knowledge that Ricky has taught us.

For example, when I made the label for a quilt made in a class I cited the class name and the name of the store.

I just want to make sure that I do the right thing.

Jean

[Gloria H.]

If I create a quilt, the design..fabric choise etc..it is a BrinkOfNorway design. If I use a pattern I mark the quiltlabel: Pattern by "name", sewn by Hanne-Grete :lol: :wink:

[Ricky T.]

Thank you for clearing that up!

I have just one question, 'though it might actually be two:

On your quilt label (or for show purposes) how do you acknowledge that the idea or intellectual property is Ricky's?

I believe in giving credit where it is due and I know I would never have come up with the quilt I am working on without the very specific knowledge that Ricky has taught us.

For example, when I made the label for a quilt made in a class I cited the class name and the name of the store.

I just want to make sure that I do the right thing.

Jean

Hi Jean - and all,

If you use the Rhapsody formula and create your own skeleton, your own applique, your own quilting design etc., then you have created an original quilt. There is no requirement for stating that it was created from my instructions, formula, or techniques by Ricky Tims. It's always courteous to do so, but in the end, I suspect Rhapsody quilts will be as identifiable as a Lone Star variation, or a Baltimore Album quilt.

If you use designs from my book, or patterns, then most certainly you would want to include a mention "derived from", "attributed to", "inspired by" - etc, Ricky Tims.

The copyright issue is always challenging for quilters. I'll be providing some letter of the law scenarios soon.

[Ricky T.]

Ricky,
That would be great!! Copy rights always have fuzzy gray areas that need explaining.
Carolyn

[Jenny C.]

I have just been online looking at the Quilters Newsletter site and it has a very good article about copyright and quilts
Jenny in Oz

[Jenny C.]

Thank you Ricky!

One of the things I love about this site is it fulfills my "learn something new everyday". :wink:

Jean

[Eileen K.]

Thank you Ricky. It's like sitting around with a group of friends here. We can agree to disagree without rancor. If only all relationships could be this way.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Thank you for your reply to this subject of copyright. I admit I was a bit taken aback when I saw the copy of Bohemian Rhapsody in the quilt gallery, and went immediately to the forum to find answers.

Thank you for all your sharing. After your seminar and a design class, and having made a rhapsody quilt using my original skeleton and original applique designs, I think it would be much more frustrating to try to copy someone else's without a pattern. I did know of course that it was alright to use the technique, but I do think it is polite to include the inspiration on the label.

Dorene

[Eileen K.]

I have read all the entries from Quilter's Newsletter and I am still (almost) as confused as ever! I have no desire to take anything from any designer or professional quilter. But some of these rules make it almost frightening. It seems that it would be incredibly easy to inadvertently break a law by making most quilts. How is one to know if their design isn't similar enough to another's to not be considered a copyright infringement? I guess I would hope that most professionals are as gracious and generous as Ricky and wouldn't prosecute an amateur who assumed her quilt was just an innocuous creation. If I've seen a quilt hanging in a show and there is little documentation of it, and I make a similar quilt, or use some aspect of that quilt in my own, (and I don't sell my quilts) then it makes me uneasy to realize that I have, in fact, stolen from the designer. I worry that perhaps I should just stop looking at others' quilts, since I often derive inspiration from them, and doing so, I might break a law. I realize I'm probably overreacting and certainly looking at this in the extreme, but I don't think I'm any less confused (or less troubled) after reading all this material. Nancy, who needs to take a long, hard look at my own work.

[Eileen K.]

First, copyright is assumed. It doesn't have to be registered. But if you want to copyright something original, you should put a copyright designation (c in a circle)" on it, the year it was made, and your name.
Second, it's my understanding that you can't copyright ideas. If you see someone's quilt, and decide you want to take their idea and make your own quilt, you can do that, if you are taking the "idea" and making a quilt that is your own creation - fabrics, techniques, etc.

If you take someone else's quilt idea and take a picture of it and make an exact copy for your own use, you aren't infringing on the copyright because you aren't depriving the owner of income.

BUT if you photograph someone's original quilt design, make exact copies, and sell those copies for money, then you are infringing on the copyright and the owner has a right to come after you.

As I said, this is my understanding. I'd welcome other opinions.

Jean

[Eileen K.]

If you take someone else's quilt idea and take a picture of it and make an exact copy for your own use, you aren't infringing on the copyright because you aren't depriving the owner of income.

I'd like to agree with this, to have it be true. But the Quilters Newsletter article stated basically, that if I see a quilt, make a copy of that quilt and give it to someone else, that certain someone (or even me if I keep the quilt) can't even put it into a show without the permission of the original designer. Am I reading that correctly? Just exhibiting a quilt (in a show that does not give monetary awards) just doesn't seem like a crime. What am I stealing from anyone (as long as credit is given - not necessarily permission)? From what I think I'm reading it just seems that a whole lot of people could potentially get into a whole lot of hot water without even considering that they are doing something wrong. Maybe this is making a mountain out of a molehill, but it's really got me disturbed and worried.

[Lynn K.]

Wow! almost 2000 people have read this thread! Lots of interest.

Thanks to all of you for clearing up/and or/ adding to the dialog!

Lynn