OK so I have this ethical dilemma. I have a massive stash which I know there is little chance of me stitching in my lifetime so I am planning on selling some of it. However the majority of the patterns I want to sell I would also like to stitch at some point.
Now when I stitch a chart I make a working copy and then sell the original pattern afterwards. So my question is would it be ethical or not to make a working copy of a pattern that I may (or very likely may not) stitch in the future and sell the chart now before I actually stitch it. Obviously I couldn't do this with my HAED charts as these are all electronic, I am only talking about the patterns that I have actually purchased hard copies of.
I'd love your opinions on this either in the comments or in the poll.
Thanks
Nic
5 comments:
Congrats on your Anniversary! As for your dilemma, I understand what you are saying, personally I think it would be fine, Except for the HAED's of course, The way I see it if you make a working copy, (which most of us do)then you are just selling the chart before you stitch it......
At first I thought, you can't do that, it's pattern-sharing. Then I thought "what's the difference between doing it before and after you stitch the piece yourself?" and couldn't decide.
Personally, I wouldn't sell anything I was intending to stitch one day so I wouldn't face this dilemma. I would feel uncomfortable keeping a copy but can't explain why!
I think it's to do with having more than one copy of the chart in existence at one time when only one has been paid for. If you sell after you've stitched the working copy would be shredded so no longer exist.
I'm not sure if I am interpreting the law correctly, but my thought is that a working copy is allowable as long as you are in possession of the original chart. Upon completion of the project, it is understood that the working copy is to be destroyed. At that time, if you wish, it is acceptable to resell your chart.
As I understand the copyright laws, one chart means one cross stitch period. I wouldn't do it for the only reason to support the artist. It's hard enough to be a self supportive artist in this day and age and sharing their work for one purchase price means they don't get any credit for it.
Catherine is correct. If you make a working copy to keep that copy in your stash "just in case" and then sell the original, what you have done is make an illegal copy. Technically working copies are against copyright but most designers allow it provided the working copy is destroyed. Only the designer (copyright holder) has the legal right to make copies of their work.
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