copyright laws....also

Hi, just like to say i really appreciate all the effort everyone has made to make this issue crystal clear. we newbies need to understand how everything works so we don't ``bite the hand that feeds us `` so to speak. * for each of you. Thanks to our cutie guardian angels.

Here is the cutest Video explaining Copyrights.

http://thresq.hollywoodreporter.c...

Enjoy it!
EastWitch2

I think it is basically like books, just because you buy the book doesn't mean you can copy from the book, you can only read the book and sell it, but not as your work. In other words, just because I buy a design doesn't make it a design I made only one I bought. But I can make something with it and I can sell it, but not as my design. Any trademarked designs are off limits in any shape or form unless provided with your machine. Does that cover everything? To me it's pretty simple, I just need to keep better records of where I get my designs whether I pay or freebie...

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Thank you for this reminder. One thing to remember - these companies can afford a lot more 'lawyering' than we can! It is not worth the potential price. And for the smaller digitizers - this could be their livelihood - don't steal from them.

Here is another link to read about Copyrights.
Make sure to scroll down and read as much as possible for a better understanding.
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq...

Last week we had the question if you are allowed to use designs that look-a-like the disney-characters but are not exactly the original. I wouldn't use them cause intension of the digitizer was this alikeness and that is what can get you in trouble with the lawyers from Disney (and they have more money for a process!). So always balance the reason if it is worth the trouble you can get.
greetings, Bettina

Just bringing the topic up to the top!

The copy right law is different in different countries so you need to find the one for your country.Japan and scandinavian countries have no copyright on some of the designs that we do and they are freer to use some that we cant that is why you do see some designs that we shouldn't be using on these sites it is the downloader that need to be aware of the laws in their countries.

1 comment

by marjialexa 05 Jun 2009

It's INTERNATIONAL Copyright Law. Disney is copyrighted all over the world. What Japanese artists choose to copyright in Japan may be different, or they may not be allowed to copyright some things, but believe me, Disney, Coke, NFL, NASCAR, Looney Tunes, etc. the big USA ones, are covered! Marji

ttt

Thanks Mel. I've been worrying about some of the things I had been seeing. We have bn warned time & time again but still there r some new who do not know & some who just chose to ignore. *4U

R we allowd to download Elvis?

2 comments

by mpo14011 04 Jun 2009

The Elvis I have uploaded to Design by Cuties and have on my web site is fine providing I don't sell it.I wouldn't touch the other Elvis that I have seen posted here. They look exactly like the ones taken of the net and permission from the photographer who took these pictures needs to be obtained. That goes for all of the other famous people that I have seen posted.

by marjialexa 05 Jun 2009

And people who use your 'Elvis' shouldn't sell the products they make with it either, right? Isn't that for personal use only, or am I off base? If you can't sell it, neither should anyone else, I don't think. Hugs, Marji

Great post! Although this is a US Copyright site, keep in mind, copyright laws are international.

ttt

1 comment

by bejoscha 14 Jul 2010

Yes, but not enforced everywhere as strictly. I know some cases (-technology patents-) in which $$$ of pounds could never be recovered even with all proofs and an armarda of lawyers, just becaues the "offenders" where situated in China...

Thanks, Mel. I learned a lot of things on every comments the qt's did. Thanks for take care about us.

what about the Elvis design?

Donald Duck and Bart Simpson have been removed from Designs By Cuties, so that's taken care of for the time being. It is illegal to use licensed artwork to make designs, that's why they were taken down, to avoid prosecution. Please, please, if you digitize and want to put Bart on a cap for your son like Sissi did, that's your call. It's still illegal, but unless the 'embroidery police' live next door, you probably won't get caught. Put it up on the web, and you WILL get caught, by someone. It's not 'generous' to give away these designs, because the people who download them are 'receiveing stolen goods'!! Please stick with clip art you have purchased, or your own artwork, ok? That's the safest. If you have a hard time understanding the copyright page above, just ask, we'll try to explain. Thanks so much for doing the right thing. Hugs, Marji

3 comments

by ansalu 09 Jun 2009

Hello,
I live in Germany and here it is allowed to digitize and stitch these "famous designs" only for personal use. The cap for your son is okay but you can get problems when you wanna sell it later on ebay. Sharing your digitized designs (even for free) is here although illegal.
We have here a wonderful website called "the hobbyschneiderin" (hobby-dressmaker)
and there is a forum for searching embroidery designs; on the topline is an extrapost that people should not ask for these illegals designs and although there are still some "specialists" looking for winnie pooh, disney characters and so on. Anne (the owner of the page) is deleting this posts to avoid that the website will closed cause of that.
greetings
ansalu

by bejoscha 14 Jul 2010

What are the variouse country laws on which country-laws do apply? Is it the location of the web-site (where the server stands), the location of the design-provider (where he is living)? Or - in case it is illegal to download/use those designs - the location of the user ?

Questions upon questions - and a good reason why the most money is made by lawyers.

by mops 01 Aug 2010

The EU has signed international treaties, but enforcing the rules is up to the copyright holder. So whether you live in the Netherlands like me (or ANY of the other EU countries) you CAN be prosecuted and heavily fined for downloading and using, but if it is done is another matter. But would you really be stealing - even on a small scale?

I know that I'm a new embroiderer myself and I'm VERY grateful that those of you with more experience take the time to help us to learn the ropes. You all take the time to tell us about free designs, answer our questions, even digitize for us. It is obvious that you have our best interests at heart. I do not digitize yet, but I am so pleased to know that "famous" designs should not even be downloaded. Thanks for covering my back.
Therese

1 comment

by marjialexa 04 Jun 2009

Thank you, Quail, for understanding that we're not being 'spoil sports', we're trying to protect all of you, and this website! Welcome to the wonderful world of machine embroidery, and to Cute!! Hugs, Marji

to the top again.

1 comment

by mel08 04 Jun 2009

Thanks mops !

Thanks Mel

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Mel, it's a great post to warn people about the copyrighted designs! This is a serious issue, everyone should read and follow! Hugs,Yoriko

Doesn't matter if we're 'squeaky wheels' gals, we're the only ones reading these posts, apparently. Preaching to the choir again. The only one that actually learned something was Sissi, and I thank her for being nice enough to recognize that. Everyone else just ignores these posts, I think. I do get so frustrated with this also, but I see it everywhere, on USA sites as well as foreign sites. It's a pity. Hugs to you all, Marji

1 comment

by mops 04 Jun 2009

I think some people just don't care. You posted a warning and right above your post was a thank you for the design!! Almost makes you swear.

Thanks Mel, I get so sick of repeating this warning and I don't do it for myself, but to protect others from prosecution. It is great that you have joined in and taken the time to also try and warn everyone.

Hugs n roses to you, Meganne

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1 comment

by mel08 03 Jun 2009

I know I sound like a squeaky wheel on this topic, but I am tired of the abuse and sure don't want Cuties to get in trouble. I will keep pestering until we can get some of the folks re-educated and have some of the "offenders" understand.

Thanks Meganne!

Hugz !

ttt for more to see

Mel, thank you for saying this again. Us 'oldies' need to be reminded, the 'newbies' need to be made aware. Please please don't mess with licensed artwork, people!! If you want to digitize it to put it on your grandkid's romper, fine, just don't tell us, ok? And please please don't put stuff like this in Designs By Cuties!! You're breaking the law unless you have written permission from the company to use one of their characters in this fashion. The fact that it's FREE doesn't matter! The same holds true for clipart. If you download the freebies from Clipartopolis & digitize them & put them in Designs by Cuties, that's fine, that's the license Clipartopolis gives you when you download. But in the 'original artwork' information in Designs by Cuties, you have to put 'Clipartopolis' (or wherever it's from, obviously). I've seen a lot of strange answers to that question. It's asking where you got the art, is it clipart or did you draw it yourself. And if you manage to right-click clipart and copy it without paying, please don't digitize it and give it away, you're putting everyone in jeopardy. Please please take this stuff seriously, whether you think it's "fair" or not, that's the law. I'd hate to see all Veronika's sites closed down over something in Designs by Cuties. Please be aware.
Hugs, Marji

6 comments

by mel08 03 Jun 2009

Thanks ! * :-)

by mops 03 Jun 2009

Well said, Marji. I shudder when I see Donald Duck in Designs by Cuties, that CAN'T be legal.

by marjialexa 03 Jun 2009

I wrote a comment there, I hope everybody heeds it, and Bart Simpson, too. This site could get closed down for stuff like that. Hugs, Marji

by sissibrode 03 Jun 2009

Ooops, i will send a PM to Veronika to delete the Bart's design !!!

by marjialexa 03 Jun 2009

Thank you, Sissi, I appreciate your cooperation! I know you didn't mean to do anything wrong, just didn't understand the copyright. It's sweet of you to want to share, just not licensed designs, k? Thanks again, Marji

by sissibrode 03 Jun 2009

Your welcome Marji, thanks to you and mel08 ! it's not easy to understand the copyright...but now I know that if something or someone famous, we must refrain !

*4U - Thank you for bringing this info to EVERYONE'S Attention!

2 comments

by mel08 03 Jun 2009

* 4u

:-)

by quilter124 31 Jul 2010

Being a brand new "newbie" I thank you all for making me aware of what I am doing in machine embroidery. It is also bad in many cases in the quilting industry as well. Thanks, and keep up the excellent info that I get here on cuties.....