A question about copyright. I have made myself an ITH glasses case. How do I know if I am in breach of copyright laws if I share the design with others? It has a snap top using bits of tape measure.

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you can copyright a design but not an idea. other wise we would only have one colour car and one make.
others can take the IDEA and work on it coming up with a new design and concept.

If you created the design yourself, then YOU OWN the copyright. It is yours to do with as you please.

The tape measure part is a great idea, Is that the part you are worried about? I think the design is fine. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

This is your own desighn the others would not have been able to copyrite the tape measure idea wouls they because the didnt make the tape measure. hugs Joyce

1 comment

by oigelcox 21 Jun 2012

Sorry typo on design

Sorry about the question, but is the tape measure in one or two pieces?

2 comments

by marjialexa 21 Jun 2012

Metal tape measure (old, cheap one, not DH's good one, hee hee hee) cut into two pieces, I'm pretty sure. But best wait for the experts, cause I haven't done this yet. Hugs, M

by spendlove 22 Jun 2012

Correct.

like your idea of the 'snap' top using the springy metal bits of tape.

Sue, So glad you've come up with an ITH for this eyeglass case. I made these for all my families girls a couple of years ago but they weren't done ITH as this should be so much easier. Great work!

If an exact copy it would be copyright problem,but change colour words or shape and no problem,so I have been told when machine knitting.

1 comment

by berny 19 Jun 2012

have you seen the variety bags out there all on the same lines,only fabric or handles have changed

It looks lovely, Sue. I don't forsee any copyright problems, since this is your own version of a spectacle case. Love to download it as well. Have a nice day.

Thanks and flowers to all of you for your comments.

As far as I am concerned if you create it yourself without use of anyone else's pattern it's your design. Even if you did see the idea somewhere else. This is your interpretation of it. This is your version of an idea and your way of doing it. That's my opinion. Hugs, Susan

Like Gramsbear said, as long as you digitized the design yourself, including the in-the-hoop part, I don't see where this could be a copyright problem. The glass case is just a rectangle, the tape measure part is well-known & in public domain. To 'copyright' that would be like trying to copyright a simple drawstring beachbag, or a simple tote. I wouldn't worry about it. Hugs, Marji

As far as I am aware, the Copywrite laws are mostly dealing with the embroidery design. If you did not get the design from a dealer, etc. and made it yourself, you just trll where you got the Clipart. And on your lettering, if you got it from a program you have, just list the program as the source. Hope this helps you. & I am sure you will get plenty of responses. All of my name snowflakes are made in my 4-D software, so thats what I credit. Hugs, Judy

Hi Sue, I THINK any basic construction design you make, out of a common shape you are fine. Glasses cases have been around forever, you didn't invent it, nor did anyone else alive today. The natural shape is rectangle. Unless you've copied someone's construction design, you should be just fine. But, I'm not a copyright law expert. What a great place to use the snap top - which is all over on Facebook. Hugs, Jan

It is a rectangle, with a rectangle stitching. It has letters in it that would be common and anyone could or would think of this idea.
If your artwork falls under the copyright exclusion you would be safe...
Re-read the copyright and see if your design fits the exclusion. The directions to the machine (aka the punching or stitching) itself are not included in the copyright laws. Only the artwork (or computer Programs like Embird ect) is/are currently covered under copyright law. There is or was a group trying to change that to include the design instructions to a machine but they have been unsuccessful to date.
I am sure there will be arguments...I choose not to participate in any (more) arguments -- as this site is for friendship and love not hate...please read and "understand" (the best that you can) for yourselves what the copyright laws state.
Thank you for wanting to share with friends! I hope to see more of your work soon!

I am not an expert - but I don't think you can copyright a type of closure. Think about all of the things out there that close with a zipper or a tie - and even with a snap top - that is a way to close something that I don't think can be copyrighted.

And I would appreciate your design - have been looking for something like this myself.