Banner Sponsors

StarHawk2003 Apr 20, 2007

Hey everyone,

Regards Pattern draping, Is there any Copy right laws if you do use a store bough bear or plush? You are making the pattern your self but would you infringe on any Copyright laws....

I have looked through the Library but couldn't find anything about it.

Richy ~ :hug:

chrissibrinkley Apr 20, 2007

hmmmm...
I would think it's the same concept as using a pattern.  You'd be using another's design/shape to create or even closely replicate an item. I think stuffed toys can fall into copyright and even design patents, I'm not 100% sure on that, but it's what I would guess.  (???) 

I think taking apart a manufactured toy to see how they get it to come together is an interesting thing to do. When I was trying to figure out needle sculpting I once had a really amazing artist tell me to practice on old stuffed toys...like thrift shop and garage sale finds. She made mention of how funny it was to take apart a stuffed toy to see what manufacturers would do instead of sculpting.

Have you tried using clays to build a model for draping?  You might even be able to get away with kids clays...like PlayDough.  It's pretty soft and easy to work with.

:hug:
~Chrissi

WildThyme Apr 20, 2007

Hi Richy!  Yeah... that would definitely violate copyright laws.... even if you were to "give credit" to the manufacturer.

Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking things apart to see how the shapes fit together and such.... just as an educational thing.  Once you've done it though... put the pieces away and come up with your own way.     There's a fine line when it comes to that kind of thing, for sure.  I know that I've glanced at  a pattern before and said, "OH, so THAT'S what a double neck joint looks like! "  And once you've seen it, it's obviously pretty impossible to completely erase that image from your mind.... but when you sit down to do your own double neck joint, or bent arm or whatever.... you definitely sholdn't be tracing, or really even looking  at that pattern piece.   Besides... if you do it on your own you'll probably get a shape that works BETTER for the look you are trying to create!   

Kim Basta