Maureen said "This might be the time to remind people that if they have designed a pattern of any kind, that they make sure that their copyright is on the pattern and in such a place that it cannot be taken off."
Unfortunately even in the old days carefully applied whiteout paint followed by a fresh photocopy would conceal many marks of origin, but with the onset of technology even a basic scanner and graphics programme will allow the unscrupulous to remove all traces of the originator's name and date. Perhaps we could make it as hard for them as possible by having watermarks stating copyright behind the design area, but then there is the problem that the design itself is harder to see. However, the seller's sometimes don't even bother to do this. One ebayer was selling copies of pages from Lace a while back and seemed surprised when told this was infringing copyright. However, she did remove them from sale and there has been no sign of her doing it again. I'm not sure what Antje and Pam can do when the culture in which this is happening has a very "relaxed" attitude to the issue. If the buyers don't mind that the pattern source is dishonest because the price is right, and no-one official is prepared to do anything, then the sellers have no compulsion to stop. I have been at meetings in Spain where home made photocopies of complete books were for sale quite openly and not just out of print ones. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
