Why is that?

[Former_Member]

Ok so I've been searching for patterns and stuff online. There is an abundant amount which is awesome. What I totally understand and am fine with is when you find a pattern and someone has copyrighted the pattern. They ask you not to "steal" it or resell it, but to link to them. That is totally fine. What I don't get is when the pattern maker asks that you don't sell the final product online or at fairs, etc. Why is that?

[Former_Member]

Many people write patterns and sell them for 'personal use' only. This is quite common.

You will find that most pattern books that you would purchase have the same sort of notation.

[Former_Member]

I state that you can't sell online (locally is fine) because I want to be the one to sell the stuff online...If ever I get really successful at selling patterns I'll probably lift that restriction.

[Former_Member]

chanteusecrochet, that makes sense. If I was selling patterns I'd probably do the same now that you put it that way. Thanks.

[LoveNYarn]

I had one designer tell me I could sell my item at a charity bazaar, but not at the craft fair in the same town. Does that make sense??

[Former_Member]

*that's* a little weird...At first I was not going to allow any sales, but I figured unless the person buying my pattern is in my home town how the heck would I know anyway?
Since I don't want people selling my stuff online, I also try not to sell things from patterns made by someone else online either, just doesn't seem fair even if that person is OK with it.

[Former_Member]

Okay, well here is my thoughts:
If you want to keep a pattern exclusively for your own use to make and sell the item, then do not sell the pattern.
Once you sell the pattern, I do not care what instructions you have on it about copyright, for personal use only, etc., you have lost control once you sell it.
Here is the best example I can think of:
An Etsy shop owner has a particular pattern for sale for a hat, but states it is for personal use only and you cannot sell items made from her pattern. A little while later there are 12+ pages of that same hat for sale and people are also selling a pattern for it.
How are you supposed to stop that from happening? I hardly think it would be worth getting a lawyer to chase down the offending sellers. Imagine the legal fees.
And just one more thought...what do you do about people who can just look at a picture and copy the item just by looking at the picture?