202: knock off

I kinda hate to post a negative post (this is my happy place), but I wanted to share and it's really not that bad.

I've been "knocked off".  In a way it is a bit flattering.  Really, my little owl is worth copying?

So, as many of you know I have this little free owl ornament pattern.  The key word there is free.  It's my gift to you.  But it is for personal use, not for people to profit from.  And in reality, anyone's who's asked me if they can use the pattern to sew them for charity or even personal profit, I've said yes to.  I'm fine with an independent crafter using it, but it was not intended for mass production.

Well, a reader sent me this picture:

She bought this cute guy in a store and it wasn't labeled except with "made in China".  Seriously?  China?  Clearly not hand sewn but some dedicated crafter.

Normally I wouldn't go right to "copy", because how many different ways are there to make a felt owl? And I know I've designed things on my own only to find that someone already beat me to it.  But you be the judge.  That's pretty darn identical to mine.  Right down to the decorative blanket stitching.  The only real difference is it's made by machine and glue.

Here's mine:

Since it's a free pattern I put out there I don't really see myself trying for any actual recourse. In this case it would be pretty futile. And I'm OK with that. (No, that's not permission for someone to copy this or any of my other designs.) But it does floor me that someone, somewhere decided to mass produce something of mine without permission.

Someone else was making them for sale on a website called fiverr and, worse, he/she was using my photo with not credit and representing it as their work.  Thankfully the site handled the matter.

Anyway, so that things don't stay negative on here for long, I promised to be back with another post very soon...

JT

Comments

[Alessandra]

Im so sorry for you and I understand your feelings;
xxx alessandra

[Fleur Cotton]

Horrible feeling!

The only consolation is that it's a very poor copy, and your original looks so much better.

It unfortunately is the price you pay for sharing your work, but don't be put off as the genuine crafters out there really do appreciate you posting free patterns and wouldn't dream of trying to pass them off as their own design.

Happy stitching
Fleur xx

[jessica]

We've been through this a lot with our cloth diaper patterns. Even if they are purchased, copyrighted patterns, you have zero recourse. Our laws don't do anything to prohibit people or companies sewing (or glueing) and selling, even on the mass market.

After spending too much money trying to solve the problem, we just allow people to sew and sell and ask that they at least give us credit, but we can't require that either.

[Carolyn]

Ok, so how much did she pay? Mine (using your pattern) are priceless. :)

It is flattering I suppose...right?

[Kelly]

This is supposed to mean you've "made it," right? (Although I'm sure that does not make it less infuriating!) I'm with Fleur - yours is much cuter. ;-)

[Just a suggestion...]

You might want to look at this since you're complaining....

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/shelbyrose/2117201/felt_owl_ornament__decoration/handmade/housewares/home_decor/ornament

[Lisa]

I know it isn't a great feeling, or maybe it is if you take it as a compliment? :) However, a pattern, free or otherwise, is meant to be used to make something. It is, therefore, legal to sell that "something" despite the general belief that the pattern maker must give permission first. Permission is not necessary. If they were selling your pattern, that would be illegal, but selling the item they make from the pattern is legal. Sorry to break the news...

[Sissadora]

@Carolyn

I'm the lady who bought the "Made in China" version here in the Netherlands. If I remember correctly it must've been around 5 euros (6,27 dollars). It was only after we bought it that I realised I had seen the same owl somewhere (on Pinterest).

I wouldn't mind paying that 6 dollars to Jessica though. It´s a pity someone caught up on it and made profit unfairly on it.

It's too easy to "rip" these days, and digital artists know all about it, as there is a lot of artwork floating around and even being sold after someone wiped out the original watermark. :<

[fiverr]

I truly appreciate this post. I've been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You've made my day! Thanks again!

[Euapap]

You are so right but it is the most popular owl design on the web
I hope it doesn't make you stop publishing your fantastic crafts
Don't get disappointed
Greetings from sunny hot Greece