Recently one of my latest Amigurumi pattern was shared illegally in Private crochet WhatsApp groups and I came to the conclusion that not many people are not aware of the law when it comes to copyright protection of a crochet pattern, or even any sort of digital documents, pictures and videos included.
Crochet is a beloved craft that allows individuals to create beautiful and functional items using yarn and a hook. Whether you have been crocheting for years or just starting out, you’ve likely encountered both free and paid crochet patterns. While these patterns are a must have for most crafters, especially for beginners to make something, it’s essential to understand the rules of copyright that govern their use. In this blog post, I’ll explain the copyright regulations surrounding both free and paid crochet patterns. Additionally, we will discuss why you cannot use a paid or free PDF pattern for crochet classes or include it in a DIY kit for profit, and lastly if you can use other peoples images as your own.
What is copyright?
Copyright is a legal framework that grants creators exclusive rights over their original works. In the context of crochet patterns, these rights apply to the pattern’s creator, whether they are an individual, a company, or an organization. Copyright law is designed to protect creators’ intellectual property, allowing them to control how their work is used, distributed, and reproduced.
Example: If you made a pattern from scratch, without using someone else base or structure of the pattern you have full copyright over that design. This means that no one else may copy your work and resell it, or adjust it slightly and call it their own. Anything new you design is instantly covered by the Copyright protection law.
Copyright for a free pattern:
I’m starting off with free patterns, because this seems to be the topic where many crafters get confused. Thinking the pattern is free that it gives them the right to do with it as they please.
Free crochet patterns are widely available online, and many crafters appreciate the generosity of those who share their patterns without charge. However, it’s essential to understand that just because a pattern is free doesn’t mean it’s exempt from copyright protection. Here are some key points to consider when using free crochet patterns:
Respect the Designer’s Terms: Always read the disclosures on the blog, That would be to any terms or conditions set by the pattern designer. These terms will be placed at the top, bottom or on both places on the blog post. Some designers may permit you to use their patterns for personal use only, while others may allow you to sell items made from their patterns.
No Claim to Copyright: Even if a pattern is free, you do not gain ownership of the pattern itself or the design. You are only granted a license to use the pattern to create items for personal use or sale, as specified by the designer.
No Redistribution: You cannot distribute, share, or sell free crochet patterns, whether in printed or digital form, without the explicit permission of the designer. This includes sharing patterns on social media or personal websites. Example of this would be to screen-print/ Screen shot the pattern, format it into a PDF file and then distribute it in private groups like Facebook, WhatsApp’s or Emails.
This also includes free PDF files that can be downloaded from the designers website, you may not download the pattern to distribute it in groups mentioned above.
Pattern Modification: If you intend to modify a free crochet pattern, be aware that copyright may still apply to the modified version. You may not adjust the pattern slightly or even adjust it by 50% to attempt to sell it. If any part of the original is still visible, the copyright law is still in the hands of the original designers.
Why can't you share the pattern in the manner explained above
Designers that offer free patterns usually has some kind of income stream linked to their blog. This income stream can be adverts from an ads-company or affiliate marketing. None of which you pay for and that is why the pattern is free.
Ads on the blog: If a designers qualifies for an ad-company the ads will be displayed on the blog. Then the designer will be paid a couple of cents for each minute their viewers spend scrolling on the blog. This is no cost to you as maker spending time on the blog. The more viewers the designer gets the higher their ad income will become. But if you screenshot and share the pattern in that manner the designer gets no money, their views plummet and they loose money, ultimately leading the designer to close down their blog because it is no longer providing a source of income.
Affiliate marketing: This is when the designer signs up to a company like Amazon to sell their products, without keeping actual inventory. Designers will have a disclosure on the blog stating that when you purchase something on Amazon through their “Affiliate link” they will earn a small commission on the product being sold. Once again this doesn’t cost you as the maker anything extra when you purchase a product through the designers blog. As explained with the ads, if you copy and past the pattern or screen shot it to convert to a PDF and share it amongst other crafters, the designer will get no potential buyers for the products they sell through their blog. The end result will than be that the designer closes the blog due to the lack of income.
How can you share a free pattern then?
Free crochet patterns should always be shared via link from the designers page or website. Even if there is a free downloadable PDF on the blog. It is the most ethical thing to do.
By sharing the direct link to the pattern or blog you don’t break any rules. The designer will get more viewers on their blog leading to a higher income on ads and sales on affiliate links, which will lead up to the designer posting more free patterns frequently for you as the crafter to make. But the more the pattern is stolen off the website with screenshots and copying to a word document the less patterns the designer will share or even end up removing free patterns.
Copyright for Paid Crochet Patterns
Paid crochet patterns, often available for purchase on platforms like Etsy or Ravelry, They come with additional considerations due to the financial transaction involved. Here’s what you need to know about using paid crochet patterns:
Purchase and License: When you buy a paid crochet pattern, you’re just purchasing a license to use the pattern, not the pattern itself. This license typically specifies how you can use the pattern, such as for personal use or for selling finished items. However, they often explicitly exclude using the pattern itself in for-profit endeavors like crochet classes or DIY kits.
Why can’t you use paid patterns? It is about Protecting the Designer’s Income: Designing crochet patterns is a creative endeavor, and designers often rely on pattern sales for their income. When patterns are used in classes or DIY kits for profit, it can cut into the designer’s potential sales and earnings. It would be the same if someone walked into your yarn shop, only paid for one skein of yarn but walked out with ten, paying for one but reselling the other nine for profit. Using someone else’s work, whether paid or free, to make a profit without their permission is a violation of their intellectual property rights. Respecting these rights is essential for maintaining a fair and ethical crafting community.
How can you share a paid pattern then?
The same way you share the free patterns, by sharing the link of the paid pattern so that the next person can buy the pattern from where you purchased it.
For some, paid patterns are the only way to generate an income from their crochet business. Designers don’t always have access to multiple streams of income and highly rely on the money they get from the patterns they sell. In many countries, like South Africa, designers don’t have access to paid social media views and creator funds. We also do not have yarn companies that benefit us financially when we get sponsored by them or become brand ambassadors. We don’t have any local businesses that is crochet or knitting related that offer affiliate marketing. As I have mentioned above it can take up to three years to get approved by an ad-company that pays more that a few cents per minute when people view your blog.
So if you have come this far reading my blog, keep this in mind when you are thinking about sharing a paid pattern in a group.
Alternative Options for Crochet Classes and DIY Kits
If you’re interested in offering crochet classes or creating DIY kits, there are alternative approaches that respect copyright while still allowing you to share your love of crochet:
Create Your Own Patterns: Consider designing your crochet patterns for use in classes or kits. This way, you have full control over the patterns.
Collaborate with Designers: Reach out to crochet pattern designers and inquire about collaboration. Some designers may be open to licensing their patterns for specific uses, such as classes or kits, in exchange for a fee or partnership agreement.
Use Public Domain or Open-Source Patterns: Look for crochet patterns that are explicitly labeled as public domain or open-source. These patterns are free to use without restrictions and can be a suitable option for teaching or kit-making.
Recaps of do's and don't when it comes to patterns and copy right:
The do's:
- Share the direct links of the pattern when someone ask for it.
- Credit the designer when you post on social media.
- Encourage others to make better choices when you see them sharing paid or screenshot patterns.
- Follow the terms your designer has set for her patterns and show respect.
The don't:
- Screen-print or screen-shot from the blog and share it to hundreds of strangers on the internet that you don’t even know.
- Don’t use paid or free patterns in crochet classes or DIY kits without consent.
- Don’t copy and resell paid and free patterns as your own.
- Don’t be rude and disrespectful towards designers when they choose to remove a pattern or offer the PDF version of the pattern as paid in their shops.
What about videos and pictures?
It’s important to know that you cannot use a crochet video as your own, nor can you create a video or step-by-step photo instructions of a crochet pattern that belongs to someone else without their explicit permission. This includes not using pictures of the designer’s work as your own to receive custom orders as images that the designer takes also falls under the copyright laws. Always seek proper authorization and give credit where it’s due when using or sharing crochet patterns or content created by others.
Understanding copyright rules is essential for every crocheter, whether you prefer free or paid patterns. Always respect the terms and conditions set by pattern designers and never use patterns, whether free or paid, for profit without permission. By adhering to copyright regulations and exploring alternative options, you can enjoy the world of crochet while maintaining a fair and ethical crafting community.
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