Hi everyone :waving:
I have a question about pattern copyrights. I was under the impression that if a pattern says "copyright" on it that the ENTIRE pattern is protected (you cannot make the pattern and sell it for profit or make copies of the written pattern and sell it without the expressed written permission of the author). But after a discussion with someone I was told that a "free pattern" (one found on Raverly) was taken and it was "rewritten" and now that person is distributing the pattern as thier own. I think this person told me that the decreasing method and the M1 method was changed. My questions: Isnt that the same as "stealing" the original author's work? and If I took a cable pattern say from a hat and used that cable pattern to make a scarf is that MY original pattern or is that a fringe on copyrights?
Happy Knitting,
:knitting: :knitting:
Greta

But after a discussion with someone I was told that a "free pattern" (one found on Raverly) was taken and it was "rewritten" and now that person is distributing the pattern as thier own. I think this person told me that the decreasing method and the M1 method was changed.

Plagiarizing maybe. It depends how much she changed it; a different yarn and needle size doesn't count, we all do that. Same with the decs and incs, we usually use the ones we like.

Stitch patterns such as cables aren't copyrighted though, they've been around too long. So if you used the cable from a hat pattern in a scarf, that's a new pattern.

Thanks Suzeeq! I thought for sure it was "stealing" the pattern, just because she changed the wording and changed the method of M1. I just have ALOT of respect for pattern designers I WOULDNT dare claim a pattern as my own, guess it has to do with morals also. As for the cables, THANKS for that! I guess I have made my VERY OWN scarf and fingerless glove pattern then! How exciting! LOL thanks again
Happy Knitting,
Greta:knitting:

She didn't change the pattern enough to call it her own though. I guess I feel 'stealing' is kind of a harsh word, but the original designer would probably feel it's the correct word.

I knit my own ideas all the time, taking stitches from one pattern, shaping from another (or the idea of the shape) and maybe something else from a third pattern and then adding my own experience. I'm always modifying patterns, though not necessarily enough that they're actually different from the original.

Here's an interesting copyright for knitters.
http://yarnaholic.wordpress.com/the-copyright-faq-for-knitters/

Excellent article Jan ! Thanks.