*4U - Thank you for bringing this info to EVERYONE'S Attention!

Mel, thank you for saying this again. Us 'oldies' need to be reminded, the 'newbies' need to be made aware. Please please don't mess with licensed artwork, people!! If you want to digitize it to put it on your grandkid's romper, fine, just don't tell us, ok? And please please don't put stuff like this in Designs By Cuties!! You're breaking the law unless you have written permission from the company to use one of their characters in this fashion. The fact that it's FREE doesn't matter! The same holds true for clipart. If you download the freebies from Clipartopolis & digitize them & put them in Designs by Cuties, that's fine, that's the license Clipartopolis gives you when you download. But in the 'original artwork' information in Designs by Cuties, you have to put 'Clipartopolis' (or wherever it's from, obviously). I've seen a lot of strange answers to that question. It's asking where you got the art, is it clipart or did you draw it yourself. And if you manage to right-click clipart and copy it without paying, please don't digitize it and give it away, you're putting everyone in jeopardy. Please please take this stuff seriously, whether you think it's "fair" or not, that's the law. I'd hate to see all Veronika's sites closed down over something in Designs by Cuties. Please be aware.
Hugs, Marji

ttt for more to see

Thanks Mel, I get so sick of repeating this warning and I don't do it for myself, but to protect others from prosecution. It is great that you have joined in and taken the time to also try and warn everyone.

Hugs n roses to you, Meganne

Doesn't matter if we're 'squeaky wheels' gals, we're the only ones reading these posts, apparently. Preaching to the choir again. The only one that actually learned something was Sissi, and I thank her for being nice enough to recognize that. Everyone else just ignores these posts, I think. I do get so frustrated with this also, but I see it everywhere, on USA sites as well as foreign sites. It's a pity. Hugs to you all, Marji

Mel, it's a great post to warn people about the copyrighted designs! This is a serious issue, everyone should read and follow! Hugs,Yoriko

Thanks Mel

to the top again.

I know that I'm a new embroiderer myself and I'm VERY grateful that those of you with more experience take the time to help us to learn the ropes. You all take the time to tell us about free designs, answer our questions, even digitize for us. It is obvious that you have our best interests at heart. I do not digitize yet, but I am so pleased to know that "famous" designs should not even be downloaded. Thanks for covering my back.
Therese

Donald Duck and Bart Simpson have been removed from Designs By Cuties, so that's taken care of for the time being. It is illegal to use licensed artwork to make designs, that's why they were taken down, to avoid prosecution. Please, please, if you digitize and want to put Bart on a cap for your son like Sissi did, that's your call. It's still illegal, but unless the 'embroidery police' live next door, you probably won't get caught. Put it up on the web, and you WILL get caught, by someone. It's not 'generous' to give away these designs, because the people who download them are 'receiveing stolen goods'!! Please stick with clip art you have purchased, or your own artwork, ok? That's the safest. If you have a hard time understanding the copyright page above, just ask, we'll try to explain. Thanks so much for doing the right thing. Hugs, Marji

what about the Elvis design?

Thanks, Mel. I learned a lot of things on every comments the qt's did. Thanks for take care about us.

Great post! Although this is a US Copyright site, keep in mind, copyright laws are international.

ttt

R we allowd to download Elvis?

Thanks Mel. I've been worrying about some of the things I had been seeing. We have bn warned time & time again but still there r some new who do not know & some who just chose to ignore. *4U

ttt

The copy right law is different in different countries so you need to find the one for your country.Japan and scandinavian countries have no copyright on some of the designs that we do and they are freer to use some that we cant that is why you do see some designs that we shouldn't be using on these sites it is the downloader that need to be aware of the laws in their countries.

Just bringing the topic up to the top!

Last week we had the question if you are allowed to use designs that look-a-like the disney-characters but are not exactly the original. I wouldn't use them cause intension of the digitizer was this alikeness and that is what can get you in trouble with the lawyers from Disney (and they have more money for a process!). So always balance the reason if it is worth the trouble you can get.
greetings, Bettina

Here is another link to read about Copyrights.
Make sure to scroll down and read as much as possible for a better understanding.
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html

Thank you for this reminder. One thing to remember - these companies can afford a lot more 'lawyering' than we can! It is not worth the potential price. And for the smaller digitizers - this could be their livelihood - don't steal from them.

I think it is basically like books, just because you buy the book doesn't mean you can copy from the book, you can only read the book and sell it, but not as your work. In other words, just because I buy a design doesn't make it a design I made only one I bought. But I can make something with it and I can sell it, but not as my design. Any trademarked designs are off limits in any shape or form unless provided with your machine. Does that cover everything? To me it's pretty simple, I just need to keep better records of where I get my designs whether I pay or freebie...

Here is the cutest Video explaining Copyrights.

http://thresq.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/04/copyright-law-explained-by-disney-characters.html

Enjoy it!
EastWitch2

Hi, just like to say i really appreciate all the effort everyone has made to make this issue crystal clear. we newbies need to understand how everything works so we don't ``bite the hand that feeds us `` so to speak. * for each of you. Thanks to our cutie guardian angels.