Important Facts.....

"Throwing Another Log on the "Fire"

Photo of MY McCalls Pattern

Since this whole "Pattern Sharing" mess is something that I feel very strongly about I want to clarify on some inaccurate information that is circling in cyber-world.  It has recently been brought to my attention that an individual used McCalls patterns as an example for "Pattern Sharing" being okay....now I would hate to be a stock holder of McCalls or on their Board of Executives and hear this.  Some people seriously need to get there facts straight before jumping on the band wagon of an issue which with their miss-information could cause more harm than anything else....below is the McCalls Terms of Use.....

ALL McCall's patterns, regardless of when they were produced, are protected under copyright. It is illegal to sell photocopies of our patterns and to use our patterns to make items for subsequent resale. If you sell photocopies or make and sell items from a licensed pattern you would not only be violating McCall's copyright, but would also be in violation of the licensed designer's copyright.A seamstress or dressmaker may use a McCall pattern to make a dress for a client and charge fees, however it has to be made for a specific client and a new McCall's pattern must be used each time. A person CAN NOT use a McCall's pattern to produce garments or items intended for subsequent resale. For example, if a woman wanted to start her own business of making Prom Gowns, she could make them for individuals that approached her, using a brand new pattern each time. However she COULD NOT make several dresses ahead of time and then take them to a boutique, or anywhere, to sell. All of McCall's patterns are intended for "Home Use Only", which means they can be used to make something for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Permission to use copyrights for home businesses is never granted and can not be obtained.

Regarding the rights to a design, they belong to either the pattern company or the designer but not with the purchaser. We sometimes use outside designers that we have licensing agreements with. The designs of the licensed patterns belong to the designers. Copyright laws are complicated and have changed quite a few times over the years. While a pattern may appear to be no more than a few sheets of tissue paper and newsprint in an envelope, it actually contains the creativity and expertise of more than 100 people including designers, patternmakers, diagram artists, technical writers, and others-all of whom work hard to bring McCall's customers more than 300 new designs every year.
We hope this information is helpful.
Meg Carter
McCall's Consumer Service

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Do your homework before making ridiculous assumptions.....Many have thought this whole issue is about "sharing a pattern" no this about much, much more....It's about scanning, converting and sharing a copyrighted pattern with more than one individual and them sharing it etc. and about accepting stolen property and finding nothing wrong with it! The internet is a "double edged sword" it can benefit and cripple anyone in this business.  How many of you cry "FOUL" when someone borrows an idea or copies your work?  We as designers depend on the honesty of our customers and their belief in us as artists/designers to keep our businesses around.  This whole "Pattern Sharing" mess is far from resolved but a group of victimized designers are working on seeing a resolution happen.  Please remember don't believe everything you read.  Be smart and do your homework...not everything is as simple as a post on Facebook because someone has a grudge or can't figure out right from wrong.  I'm known for being completely honest to people and sometimes this can be a cross I carry.  Thank you for reading this.......now on to something fun like designing a couple of ravens!