I like to think that one person can make a difference (good or bad) in this world. Because of this, I often will email embroidery design websites to ask them to remove their designs that violate copyright/licensing laws. Sometimes I feel I have succeeded. Many other times I fail. I do wonder though if more embroidery artists (that is what we are) would speak up and tell them no more money unless they stop the illegal use of artwork and or ideas... Just how many voices would it take? Cute has between 10,000 (regular) and 30,000+ occasional users. What if we all spoke up?

Kudos to you to get the ball rolling. And yes, you are making a difference. Now I hope that the 10s of thousands of Cuties understand how serious it is for the honest and excellent digitizers to make a living. And I hope all of the Cuties who are so anxious to get free designs realize what these designs coast for the digitizers. Please support our wonderful digitizers who work hard to obey the copyright laws.

Well said! I have to say that it also annoys me when I see a idea on a website that a little later show up in a slightly different form on another website. I'm seeing more and more of that...sort of skirting the law.

Perhaps, if we individually see this happening, we would take it upon ourselves to take action. I think my problem is that I don't see and/or know which designs are pirated.

The other problem is that if both sites say they have copyrighted the design, consumers would not know who the original creator actually is. I know a lot of creative people say that their designs are copyrighted when in fact they never actually got a copyright on the design since it costs money.

This is a complicated issue and it behooves us to "police" sites ourselves and take action.

This is a difficult problem to solve and especially difficult to control with so many countries posting websites.

3 comments

by sewist1 edited 06 May 2018

You are write it is difficult. We can't accuse digitizers of copying designs when the artwork is freely available to purchase.
I recently saw someone accuse a digitizer of stealing another digitizer's designs . When you looked at the designs and compar

by sewist1 06 May 2018

when I submit the comment words are being joined for some reason and editing it doesn't correct the problem.

by rescuer 07 May 2018

sewest1 Refresh the page and the words will be correct.

In some cases you must go with what they say to be true. However, Mickey Mouse is never acquired by anyone but iBroidery for a design. If a website is showing a movie/cartoon character or a sports (or other) logo for sale -- you can bet it is illegal. If you know the artwork can be purchased from a legitimate art source, then go with what they say.

You hit the nail on the head! I have emailed a few that have seemed to be in violation and not all respond kindly. I have quit visiting their sites and tell my friends likewise.

Wow, beautifully said! Thank you for making a difference!

You said that so perfectly. It only takes one person to "get the ball rolling." It is kind of ironic that you brought this up right now. Just a few days ago, I asked to be removed from an embroidery site newsletter that I have belonged to for probably a year. The newsletter that was just sent out advertised some designs that were too similar to copyrighted material. I explained why I was asking to be removed from the newsletter, but have not heard anything back. It is kind of sad in away, because they had some very cute designs that weren't subject to copyright laws.

I agree wholeheartedly. I honestly believe that one person can make a difference and with help from others can make a great difference. Thank you for all you do. Hugs, Barba

I know about the honesty and copyright problems. But, I had no idea we are 10,000 to 30,000 strong! That is amazing.