Hey all, wanted to get some opinions on the subject. I’m beginning to knit a lot for other people out of The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns and putting my own spin on Ann Budds basic patterns. I mean, I think that’s basically the point of the book is to be a reference for basic instructions and a few tips on how to personalize the item. So at what point does a pattern become something I can say I created? If I wanted to publish a book of patterns, for example (not that I want to), how different would my patterns have to be? I just want to make sure I’m giving credit where it’s due, even when that’s to me!
Thanks
Kilgore
When is it considered "my" pattern?
From what I gather, this is a very grey area. A top down raglan, is a top down raglan, right? I don’t see how anyone can ‘claim’ it. If you use a general pattern and add your own ‘stuff’ it should be considered your design, in my opinion, but that doesn’t mean it’s correct.
That’s kind of what I was thinking. I mean, do stripes, cables, and different kind of increase/decrease really make something my own design?
How could it not? It is possible that you and I could decide to knit a cardigan with the same cabling down the front, just from basic directions. How could either one of us claim it? What if you were to publish the pattern? Would that mean that I couldn’t sell mine if I wanted to? As I said, it’s a very grey area. If you’re not going to ‘go commercial’ with a pattern, I’d say you have every right to claim it as your own design. If you were to go commercial, then, who knows?
If you can get it, the newest issue of Vogue Knitting has a write-up by a lawyer on this. He makes a little more sense of it then i’ve read elsewhere, but also states that it really is tough in some cases.