patterns for profit?

[Xeen]

I'm trying to find free patterns, or even patterns to buy, of which I can actually SELL what I make from them. I'm having a hard time trying to find such patterns. Specifically, I'm looking for amigurumi. I found some patterns that I just LOVE from etsy.com, but it specifically states that I can't sell what I make from them. I might get th em anyway, and keep them for a rainy day. So yeah. I've been googling all over, to no avail :-( Help? Oh, and as for making up my OWN patterns, that's out of the question. What are the chances that I can come up with my own pattern that doesn't already exist? Sigh. That's why I'm willing to pay for patterns. Thanks in advance :)

[Ladycrochat]

About the ONLY patterns that you could either sell or sell the crocheted item are patterns that you yourself have designed.....selling something made from someone else's pattern (especially a pattern that they have presented free on line) is not a good thing:(:no ! And can lead to some really serious legal hassles!

[Xeen]

But I want to avoid legal hassles by just making stuff from existing patterns that say its okay. If I make up something of my own (and I have), what are the chances that its not already a protected pattern? I don't want to rip anybody off, and that's why I want existing patterns. Less chance of it that way :-/

For example, I made a little purse, half from a pattern, half from just playing with it. Do I now have ownership of that pattern? I know these things are real touch and go, but I know I would never sell anything I made from a personal use only pattern.

[rsisland]

Leisure Arts and Annie's Attic allow you to make and sell items from their patterns. They just don't want you mass producing items and selling them on a large scale. Just make sure you give credit to whomever the designer is. If there is a specific pattern on the web that you would like to make things from and sell, ask the designer if they will allow you to sell items from their pattern. Just give them all the necessary info about what you want to make and where you plan on selling it. Always make sure you have written permission before selling any item. If you cannot get this permission, never sell an item from those patterns.

Good Luck!!

EDITED BY ADMIN ON 2/20/07: The information posted above is incorrect. Annie's Attic does not give blanket permission to sell multiple items created from their patterns. You can read their copyright policy on this page of their website (http://www.drgnetwork.com/pages/copyrights/). The information from Leisure Arts is not as clear cut. They say that you cannot wholesale items you make, but they don't specifically address the issue of selling several items directly. You can read their copyright policy on this page of their website (http://leisurearts.com/customer_care/cc_includes/faq.html). Since their wording is not so clear, to make sure you are totally covered, I would recommend asking them for clarification.

[AmyS]

But I want to avoid legal hassles by just making stuff from existing patterns that say its okay. If I make up something of my own (and I have), what are the chances that its not already a protected pattern? I don't want to rip anybody off, and that's why I want existing patterns. Less chance of it that way :-/

For example, I made a little purse, half from a pattern, half from just playing with it. Do I now have ownership of that pattern? I know these things are real touch and go, but I know I would never sell anything I made from a personal use only pattern.

Because this issue is so murky, we cannot give you a definitive answer here. You could seek the services of an intellectual property attorney, which would probably cost you several hundred dollars. Or you could contact the owner of the original pattern and ask if they thought your pattern infringed upon their rights.

To avoid legal issues altogether, it's always best NOT to sell something made from another pattern unless you have written permission from the copyright holder to do so. Sometimes that info is provided on a pattern or a company's/designer's website, other times you may have to contact them for permission.

As always, I'm not an attorney, so please don't take what I say as official legal advice.

[Jaybird]

I just recently started writing my patterns and selling them on youcanmakethis.com :) I specifically put on them that you CAN sell the finished products.

[Xeen]

Woo! Thanks, Jaybird. I loves you :-p

I finally found someone on etsy who stated I can sell from one of her patterns, and its a collection of really good ones. So that's 2 bonuses for me :)

[needlesandpinza]

Some will also let you if you ask them.
I know several who have done so. like Fiber trends will let you to a minimum but you mUST contact then first so they know where it is being sold and by whome and such.
A friend contacted them last summer and is not selling to family and friends irl.
but shes not on the web

[crochetsal]

My patterns, both free and for sale patterns, can be used to make items to sell for profit at craft sales.
I do ask, though, that if someone wants to sell online that they ask first, because I sometimes sell my finished items online.
Sally

[Xeen]

Crochetsal - awesome! I saw some of your things earlier on Etsy. I'll favorite some of them, and purchase the patterns I like depending on when/if the other etsy sellers get back to me.. and actually since you offer to send it printed, that will be very cool. I only have access to a printer part of a time, and I've been using a lot of their ink lately.... thanks so much!

*edited to add* I just fell in lust with your little snowflake. Now I know how to use up all those bits and pieces of yarn :)

[EugeneClarence]

Here's another site that appears to permit the sale of items made from the free patterns.

http://www.christinascrochethaven.com/freepatterns.htm

EugeneClarence

[AmyS]

UPDATE: The information provided in post #4 in this thread was not quite accurate. I have posted the following information in that post, but I'm posting it again here in a new reply to make sure everyone sees it.

Annie's Attic does not give blanket permission to sell multiple items created from their patterns. You can read their copyright policy on this page of their website (http://www.drgnetwork.com/pages/copyrights/). The information from Leisure Arts is not as clear cut. They say that you cannot wholesale items you make, but they don't specifically address the issue of selling several items directly. You can read their copyright policy on this page of their website (http://leisurearts.com/customer_care/cc_includes/faq.html). Since their wording is not so clear, to make sure you are totally covered, I would recommend asking them for clarification.