Is It A Form of Plagiarism?
By Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21741)
Canada
February 22, 2017 4:07pm CST
In the course of a year, I make many quilts and wallhangings, not to mention placemats, table runners and countless other crafts.
It would we a rare and unusual occurrence for me to purchase a pattern for any of these projects. Some patterns are offered free of charge.
Many times I see photos of projects that pique my interest. Save Image is probably one of my most used options. If that doesn't work for me there is the option of taking a screen shot.
When I am ready to begin a new project I go through the photos/images and decide what I want to make. I look at the photo and calculate how I can make something similar.
I am not creating a pattern for others to use....just my own personal use.
Is this a copyright infringement? A form of plagiarism?
No photos of the original inspiration are used when I show my "new" pattern, although I will often mention where my original inspiration was found.
The photo shows a quilt front made from such an inspiration.
12 people like this
13 responses
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
Even when I purchase a pattern (unusual, but it happens), I rarely follow it for every detail.
2 people like this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
23 Feb 17
If you use these inspirations for something that you do NOT sell but for your own enjoyment or as a gift to someone else, I'm pretty sure it isn't copyright infringement nor plagiarism. If you were to use it for something to sell, it would be best to contact the source and ask their permission.
With knitting and crocheting patterns that I use, the designer usually has a statement requesting that the pattern not be sold but to give them credit for the design if an item made from the pattern is sold (as long as it is not done in large bulk). But then there are also those who request that items made from the pattern to NOT be sold. It just depends on the individual designer.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Feb 17
I would say not.
Its your idea and your creation.
No one else has made it but you.
You having clever hands have put it together so it can be no other than your own your very own.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
25 Feb 17
@Morleyhunt
I think that would be more of a coincidence than anything. You can base a design on the same sort of idea really.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
If I were to use their pattern and track down the exact fabrics......
1 person likes this
@besweet (9831)
• Ireland
22 Feb 17
You should check if they have a patent or copyright about their product. If the copying is very small and you make your own changes in the designs then it is not considered as a violation in my opinion. The ideas are eventually recycled in patterns and designing so it is hard to determine what is plagiarism and what is not.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
I even have trouble making identical quilts.....something will be done differently.
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
5 May 17
I was shocked to find out that some patterns that you buy say that you are forbidden to sell the quilt once it's made??
At least not without permission from the author of the pattern??
I've probably been in violation a couple of times....but I made it and I'm not selling the pattern, I'm selling what I made.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
5 May 17
I understand copyright and selling patterns....but when I see a photo of a quilt. I have used it as my starting point. My measurements are my own (most of the time), my choice of fabric and placement is my own. Is that considered copying?
@shaggin (74988)
• United States
14 Mar 17
I am kind of confused by this. If the is your quilt then saying you created it is fine as long as you were the one to actually take a photo of it. If you got the picture from online then you do need to say where it was from. I absolutely love this quilt! The time it would take to make it would be a lot I bet!
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
15 Mar 17
I saw a photo of a quilt....similar to this one.....no idea of their dimensions.....I calculated the sizes I needed....using scraps to make the squares...then added sashing with "posts".....I don't remember if the one I used for inspiration had posts.....I have no idea who posted the original photo.
@allknowing (153544)
• India
23 Feb 17
Unless there is a copyright issue you are doing fine
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
24 Feb 17
I wish that you lived near me so you could show me how to restore my quilt my grandma gave me
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
24 Feb 17
Maybe with some creative photos and messaging we can do it from a distance.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 17
I don't see it as plagiarism. Not everything can be an absolute brand-new and shiny one-off.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
And one quilt block can provide endless combinations by changing size and colour.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
25 Feb 17
that is a beautiful pattern of a quilt. no, i don't think one can plagiarize that. you have your own unique cloths.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
This is true. Most of my quilts are made with scraps, leftover from other projects.
1 person likes this
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
23 Feb 17
This comes up often in a crochet group I am in. Such intellectual property and the possible copyright issues for copying others work is such a gray area.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
It does seem to be a gray area. I don't think I've ever copied the entire project, but different elements.
