Much to my dismay, regularly I find beautiful quilts
portrayed in photos, instructions and how-to, articles
and original work of every kind unprotected by copyright,
trademark or patent protection.
If you are a published author, more than likely your
publisher takes care of such protection. If you are in
print, blogs, or social media your writings, photos and
instructions should be protected against hijacking and
plagiarism.
Unless you generously wish to donate your work to the
quilt world at large, obtaining a copyright is a simple
step of minimum paperwork that will assure your ownership
of your original work. The forms and instructions are
available in handbooks for artisans and the cost of protection
is negligible.
If you have a unique doing business name that you wish
to retain, that name should be trademarked or is going
to be stolen.
Likewise, if you have invented a unique process it
should be patented.
Quilters, by nature, are generous and giving. Those
who derive their income from quilting, however, would
be wise to protect their interests.
Right now, there is a famous work of a famous designer
being exploited for profit by another. This happens
all the time.
The CT Badge which I so proudly display is the original
design of Katie Pasquini Masopust.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Catherine Smith
February 4, 2011
Quilts, photos and writings of nyquiltsmith.com are
the sole property of Catherine Smith (c), and are
protected by copyright under the copyright and patent
laws of the USA. No copying, reprinting or more than
casual personal use without permission and attribution.
