Questions about wanting to sell items . . .

[labcrazyland]

I would like to sell items I have or may make. What I want to know is how do I know if I can or can't sell something I have made. If I make something from a pattern I have bought in a store, can I sell that???? Can I sell something I made from a pattern I found on CPC.com???? Can I sell something I found on a companies website in their free patterns section????

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also, if Chelle or anyone could give me an idea of what prices they generally put on different items that would be great too!

Kelly

[Sue89]

It's probably the safest bet to get permission from whoever owns the copyright on the pattern. I've noticed that in some cases like at Stitch Diva Studios (http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=1) you can enter into an agreement with the designer if you want to sell their items. Other sites, like The Crochet Works (http://www.sarahanns.com/crochetworks/cwhome.html) actually encourage you to sell their designs with no interference from them (as long as you don't sell the patterns themselves).

A few weeks ago Carol Duvall devoted an episode of her show to legal questions like this. She had an attorney as her guest. She was shocked to learn that some of the things she had suggested for viewers to do weren't legal. For example, even using store-bought rubber stamps on something you're going to sell is a no-no because they're made for private use only. She even brought up how some fonts are copyrighted, for those who were printing up their own greeting cards and such.

[Piper0110]

Man. When I grow up, I want to be a crochet lawyer. (At some point in my life, I think I need to stop using the phrase "when I grow up.")

But that's interesting, I never thought about the whole rubber stamp thing. I knew some fonts were copyrighted. You learn something new every day.

[Chiscrochetcrazy]

The things you can get sued for :loco :rolleyes :ohdear :irked

[MommaChelle]

Hmmm, that is interesting. I use a certain font on my hang tags for my crochet items, I have no idea if the font is copyrighted? Because I sell the item that Im putting the hang tag on, if it is a copyrighted font, then that is illegal?

You know, I price my items based on gut feeling. I dont do twice or triple the cost of supplies, I do it on what I feel is a good price. If something is extremely easy for me to make then I dont ask too much for it. I start out my ebay auctions at what I think is a reasonable price (hardly ever over $19.99). Then I let it go from there. For the ponchos I've been making lately, I give a round figure of $20 to $25 for each poncho. They are fairly quick to make and dont take a lot of yarn.

[RachelG]

I second Sue. All patterns on CPC are made by different people and most either have a copyright notice on their site or with the pattern. If you're in doubt, contact them. Friendly e-mails usually get friendly responses. :)

[labcrazyland]

Thanks to everyone forthe good info!! I look to your site rachel for a lot of patterns, and it seems like most dont mind if you sell the finished project, and some just want to hear from you first!

Kelly

[Piper0110]

Chelle, I'd say that your hang tags are fine. You're not selling the tags, you're not profiting off of the tags. If you were selling the tags as a set for other people to use, then I'd say you were violating copyright laws.

[Angelhair]

Its always best to ask. A lot of the times, the people who make patterns for personal use only (like my free ones on my site) would allow you to sell items from them at craft fairs outside their state but not online. Coats and Clark allows you to sell items from any of their patterns as long as you use their yarns. Always pays to check out the Terms of Use or email.