thank you! I just don't want to get into any lawsuits or anything.

Technically, the quilt itself can be copyrighted, just like any other work of art. While the block pattern cannot, how you choose to use it, the fabrics, color scheme and techniques that you use combine to make it an original work of art.

However, speaking as a pattern designer and writer, I personally don't think that a quilt made from a published pattern is as much an original work as it is a variation on another's work. It's a grey area and has led to much controversy in the quilting world. Speaking as a designer, I figure that I was paid for my labor when you purchased the pattern, so I don't have a problem with you making a quilt from it now and then and selling it, HOWEVER, I would expect to be credited on the label of quilt as the pattern designer, just as a courtesy.
There would be a problem if you went commercial with it on a large scale. In an instance like that, I would expect to receive royalties on each item sold. Some patterns even add a copyright clause that limits the number of items that can be made and sold before you have to enter into a licensing agreement.

Annie

Very interesting , Thank you !!

As I understand it, a design is not legally copyrighted unless you do the paperwork, pay the money and it is registered. The protection, as Annie said, is to prevent people selling your design without permission. I talked to a copyright lawyer and he said that even with a copyright, you were not likely to find out about the infringement. This was before the Internet where, if someone tries to sell it, it is more likely to be discovered.

As far as someone copying a design and taking credit, that is not likely to be discovered unless it gets publicity. If you don't copyright a design, someone else can claim it and copyright it. If you are in business, it matters and you would have to sue to stop it or get redress.

I wouldn't mind if someone copied my original work, but I would hate to have someone claim it as their own. I document my creative process and the art work and date it, but that is not legal protection. I can live without it. I don't think there is going to be a rush. Carole

My daughter has used a special name and made a fabric doll she sells for a long time and suddenly received a lawsuit from a company that said they had reserved that name in their product line to use in the future and insisted she stop using it. She's responding to that suit but these things go on and on and no one seems to benefit. She even has the unique design, it's just the words they want to take from her. Fortunately, her brother is a lawyer!
Linda

Forgot to mention one thing - she didn't have to file a copyright to own it. It's length and way of use, out on the internet, that makes it hers.

crafteegurl.....please email me.....

Every lawyer does not know copyright law, just like every doctor doesn't know every specialty. Find someone who specializes in copyright law. There are so many misunderstandings and misinterpretations of copyright, it is truly amazing, even among attorneys.