Copyright Considerations for Quilts for Sale AAQG reminds its members that the guild supports compliance with copyright law. Unfortunately, copyright law is complex. Exactly what constitutes infringement of copyright is even more complex! If the quilt you are offering to sell is an original design, or it primarily uses blocks in the public domain, such as log cabin or wedding ring, you probably don't have to worry about this! But what if your quilt was: started in a workshop? made from a copyrighted pattern? based on a quilt you saw in a quilt show or magazine? designed to reproduce someone else's photograph or artwork? even partly based on one of these examples? You may or may not have a copyright issue. One simple answer is to get permission from the teacher or designer or author or photographer to show and sell your work. Certainly, if you are in business or thinking of going into the business of selling quilts, that would be a very good idea, and you should also become familiar with copyright law. Most of us are not in business or going into business. Even so, lawyers do not agree on the extent of protection given to quilt designs derived from these sources. AAQG cannot give legal opinions. You should know that some designers believe that it is wrong to use their patterns to create items for sale to others, or even in some cases for public display, without first asking their permission. Others think it is ok. Most designers appreciate being asked, even if they don't believe there is an infringement issue, because it shows good faith. You have to decide what applies in your situation. It is your responsibility to obtain whatever approvals or permissions are necessary to not infringe on the rights of others. It helps to remember the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. For more info on Quilts for Sale, email the Quilts for Sale coordinator.