Due to all the copyright talk spreading through the crochet world, I may be deleting 6 of my free crochet patterns.
I have emailed a few companies to attempt getting the “ok”/ rights to distribute them on this website. While I wait to hear back, I will go ahead and plan on deleting these patterns on 12/1/2014.
I am really hoping to at the least… keep the Care Bear pattern. It is my favorite design ever! *Crossing fingers*
I really wanted to give everyone a heads up and a chance to get their copy beforehand. I have given this so much thought…. and it breaks my heart to do it but I have to be responsible. 😉
Much yarn love <3 – Stitch11
Grumpy Bear
Minnie Mouse Hat
Lalaloopsy Doll
Adult Yoda Hat
3-6 Month Yoda Hat
Captain America Hat
I don’t understand. What talk? If you wrote these patterns, why can you no longer keep them? Who do you have to ask? I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this!!!!
Maybe I’m misunderstanding, but I thought the problem was with selling them? Since you have them for free I don’t see how they can go after you.
I’m curious to see what comes of this. I’ve heard (as mentioned above) that the issue is with selling designs that include copyright/trademarked characters, symbols, etc. I agree with you that being safe rather than sorry is likely better, but don’t these count as “fan art” since you’re not actually selling them? Please let me know what you find out from the companies – I’d love to know what they actually say instead of just reading hearsay!
Because they Trademarked, that’s why. And the designer would get a better response if she actually sent out a letter, not an email. Disney will never give permission and even then it’s a long process to get a license for trademarked products. if you want facts about trademark and copyrights you need to actually sit down with a Copyright Attorney, not read some hack article off the internet.
You seem to have some experience with this process, Michelle, what was your experience when you sat down with a copyright attorney? I’d be curious to hear from someone who has gone through that process 🙂
This post is interesting on the subject: https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2010/05/13/the-messy-world-of-fan-art-and-copyright/
She has some good ideas. From the numerous sites and perspectives that I’ve read it looks like under fairplay you would be okay with free patterns.
That article seems to be saying that if a website turns a profit at all, it doesn’t matter if individual fan art is selling if the actual web site makes a profit? Interesting..
I would rather listen to an actual attorney then some hack article off the internet.
I did a lot of digging into this as I was trying to figure out if using the word “inspired” made any difference but it doesn’t. Creating and displaying your own version of trademarked characters is still trademark infringement if they can be disguised as such. Even naming it something different does not change this if it still looks like the character.
I did contact the copyright/trademark department of Disney to ask about posting a free pattern I worked up of one of their characters but was told I needed to submit my request in writing. This was too much work for me so I just gave the hat to my little cousin as it was intended and kept the pattern for myself in case I wanted to work up another hat later.
I love Disney characters and such but taking the risk of posting free and paid patterns of Disney inspired items just isn’t worth the risk for me – my shop and business mean more.
I will definitely be following this. Please do let us know what responses you receive.
I would think that the care bears would be public domain by now. They have been around for many years. I am going to be making and selling Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls those are public domain so I can legally.
Years ago, when my daughter was in school, she worked at the Great American Cookie Factory, or some such name, and an edict came– no more cookies of Raggedy Ann, Mickey Mouse, etc. I suppose they came up with their own versions of mice and rag dolls for their customers, and you might do the same. Who knows, yours might be even cuter than theirs!!?
I love your lala loopsy doll pattern. I made one for my friends daughter as a gift for her birthday and she loved it! I wish you didnt have to get rid of some patterns cause I love your work!
Help, I didn’t see this in time and of course I didn’t have the pattern printed and I only have the rest of the head, hair and arms left on my daughters lalaloopsy doll which she is supposed to receive for Christmas, its all she asked for. Is there anyway to just get that part of the pattern so I can finish? PLEASE!!! I am so upset!
I am emailing you 🙂