Friendly Spiders, On the off-chance you're not completely bored with this topic... here are MY answers to frequently asked copyright questions for MY book "An Introduction to Chrysanthemum Lace" and other teaching materials.
* Can I make copies of the prickings for my own use? YES! Make zillions, I don't care. Wallpaper your bathroom with them--whatever you do with them for YOU is fine. * Can I make copies of the prickings and give them to friends? NO; If you're feeling generous, buy them the book. * Can I make copies of the prickings and give them to my students? No, see above. If you're teaching, you should be either 1) teaching from a book or materials you have each student purchase, or 2) teaching from materials you have developed personally. * Can I put photos of lace I've worked from your books on my web site: YES, and if you're a sweetie, you'll put the name of the designer too. KANT magazine publishes patterns with two names: Designed by XXX and Realization by XXX. While Realization is an admittedly awkward translation, it does get across that the piece was a team effort. * Can I sell lace that I've made from the patterns in your book? Please contact me and discuss it with me in person--my rule of thumb is that if you're planning on selling more than five pieces of lace by my design, then we need to work out a royalty arrangement, whereby I get to be part of your success. Onesy-twosy sales don't bother me at all, but it is always nice to be asked. * If I make a new design using the ideas and petals from your book, is it mine? If you design it, it's yours. * How much do I have to change something to make it "mine"? There is no hard-and-fast rule here; millions of dollars in lawyers' fees are spent on this very question daily. Search your heart, and if you have doubts, then change it some more. My advice: send me a copy and ask me if I think its "different enough". Since there is virtually no money to be made form lace, I think you'll find designers more interested in having people create new work than aggressively protecting their own. * Can I give away copies of pages in your book, if it's for a non-profit organization? No; again, if you want to donate something to the organization, buy them the book and donate it. My time is not yours to donate. * Do you own the copyright for Chrysanthemum Lace? Absolutely not. It was around long before me, and hopefully will be around long after. I own copyrights only on the patterns I have designed in my book and the text and illustrations. * What about the pattern in your book not designed by you? Can I copy it for friends? NO! As part of the book, it is covered by my copyright; as part of licensing arrangement, Ms Verbeke-Billet gets a royalty for every instance of that pattern I sell. * Can I copy instructions from your classes for others? No. Please contact me, and I will happily sell you a copy for your friend for very modest fee. * I just want one pattern out of your book, and not the whole book. Can I copy just one page from a friend's book? No. The number of pages is irrelevant. Please contact me, and I'll make arrangements to sell you the one pattern for a very modest fee. If I'm in a good mood I may just give it to you, but it remains my choice to give my rights away, not yours. Bottom Line: Lacemaking is a "team effort" between designer and lace maker; good team members communicate with each other. When in doubt, contact the author and ask them personally. I have met no author or designer who would be bothered by this type of inquiry. PS: the most frequently asked question: Your book is selling really well--are you making a lot of money on it? NO! EMPHATICALLY NO!!! Writing books is excelled only by lacemaking in its ability to turn vast amounts of time into excessively small amounts of money. I'm just in it for the cute boys. But, come to think of it... Cathy Belleville Los Altos CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.bitbetter.com/lace - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
