tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post4424257777905077271..comments2024-01-03T05:59:55.296-05:00Comments on Northern Expressions Needlework: A Sad CommentaryNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05030977367531069584noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-60060484532992397762014-05-21T13:47:20.702-04:002014-05-21T13:47:20.702-04:00I've just found this post - excellent stuff. I...I've just found this post - excellent stuff. I hope you don't mind but I've linked to it on my website. I'm a new designer and I've been collecting links for a page called copyright help on my website.Louisehttp://albcrossstitch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-49651619059293132442014-02-07T11:11:33.524-05:002014-02-07T11:11:33.524-05:00I purchase every design that I own or that I use. ...I purchase every design that I own or that I use. If I cannot find it through my most favorite store - Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Glen Ellyn Illinois, then I know it isn't available. I live in Canada, and Tomorrow's Heirlooms will ship anything to me that they have in their store or will order patterns for me. I go to Michael's or local craft stores to purchase mine. I did not realize the enormity of the problem Nicole. I understand completely that this is not a small issue and I support all designers and sellers of the patterns in not sharing my patterns. I will tell somewhere where I purchased it. I have come across websites that sell patterns that are no longer available anywhere else and that makes me wary, so I do not buy from them. I will make sure to be more cautious but my first stop is always T.H. They are amazing and if they can't get it, then I know it can't be found. Nancynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-56636578390160333242014-02-03T23:48:59.427-05:002014-02-03T23:48:59.427-05:00There is nothing illegal about borrowing a chart -...There is nothing illegal about borrowing a chart - so long as it is an original chart. They can't make you a copy and keep the original or vice versa. But yes, that is perfectly legal.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05030977367531069584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-79210062220489221272014-02-03T14:32:28.545-05:002014-02-03T14:32:28.545-05:00Let me first start by saying I have purchased ever...Let me first start by saying I have purchased every design I own and used. Having said that, just out of curiosity, what is the difference between borrowing a friends book to read it and borrowing a chart to use it? I can see that it is wrong to go to the various less than legal websights to download one and/or all, but borrow a chart? Again, I would venture to say all of us borrowed or lent friends books we have read. What is the difference?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04377273815980528345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-9436619246643950222014-02-03T11:39:20.697-05:002014-02-03T11:39:20.697-05:00Thank you for posting this, Nicole. I did not real...Thank you for posting this, Nicole. I did not realize how pervasive and costly this has become. <br /><br />As one who is contemplating publishing my designs, this is downright scary. I'm not certain I want to put myself through this aggravation. No one is "forcing a pencil into my hand." But, if my favorite designers don't put that pencil in their hands because they can't afford to do so after all the theft, then it will be a sad and colorless world without their artistic genius. Genius that I will happily pay for.<br /><br />So, to all those copyright infringers around the world, I say "Thanks a lot for ruining things for the rest of us, you amoral cockroaches! "Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03238100466937340308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-91058759118967849222012-11-12T16:40:41.274-05:002012-11-12T16:40:41.274-05:00Thanks for this post. I am a member of a few cros...Thanks for this post. I am a member of a few cross-stitch groups on Facebook, and there was a huge debate the other day regarding this exact topic.<br /><br />I am happy to say that I have always purchased my designs properly and legally. I have purchased e-charts from HAED and have never shared them with anyone. If there's a pattern that I really want from another country or overseas, I ask my local store to see if they can get it for me. If they can't get it, I order directly from the online retailer whether it be in the US and as far as the UK.<br /><br />A little more honesty in the world would do serve everyone better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-72470418027816358522012-07-30T12:51:35.022-04:002012-07-30T12:51:35.022-04:00Thank you for this informative essay. I really ha...Thank you for this informative essay. I really had no idea how rampant pattern theft is. I have never knowingly downloaded a pattern that was available without the permission of the creator; but now I will make the extra effort to ensure that any "free" pattern is being offered with permission of the owner.Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-8321255212202091502012-04-12T17:29:37.095-04:002012-04-12T17:29:37.095-04:00Hi Nicole,
I've read your article AND the 66 c...Hi Nicole,<br />I've read your article AND the 66 comments and wanted to add my little bit by saying how infuriated it makes me not only to learn the huge numbers of illegal downloading going on but also to read the bad attitude on one particular anonymous person who seems to think that because she pays for one chart, she can do what she wants with it. I know designers world-wide are having to face this assault on copyright infringement. My favourite designers: Joan Elliott, Margeret Sherry, Jardin Privé, Isabelle Vautier . . . the list goes on. TGOSM was the highlight of my month and now Kirsten has had to stop publication . . . it's just so frustrating for the honest stitchers to not be able to put a stop to the dishonest goings on. <br />For me, the internet was the most amazing thing when it happened. To be able to visit sites, discover new designers and order at the click of a button was a god-send. Why oh why has it made some people dishonest? I'm sure that those who download illegally would not walk into their local book store and just slip a book in their bag without paying. So why do they feel it's okay to download a copyright chart without paying?Clairehttp://claire93.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-18918150852053275102012-04-11T05:04:00.201-04:002012-04-11T05:04:00.201-04:00Yes well said, but I guess I am a little soft and ...Yes well said, but I guess I am a little soft and would hate to think anyone replying to this thread is actively going out and downloading illegally?Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277252979429141579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-55257087557811862572012-04-11T05:00:42.399-04:002012-04-11T05:00:42.399-04:00excellent piece well written, such a shame that th...excellent piece well written, such a shame that this terrible practice is rife!! i really hope something can be done about it, we have already lost too many amazing designers!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277252979429141579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-54758997943531157932012-04-11T04:59:31.623-04:002012-04-11T04:59:31.623-04:00Good idea!Good idea!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277252979429141579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-54789293868979575022012-04-10T16:49:50.428-04:002012-04-10T16:49:50.428-04:00Frankly, anyone who can add up AND knows the cost ...Frankly, anyone who can add up AND knows the cost of charts can calculate the loss for themselves (not saying that your article wasn't very informative and well-written) and can't claim in good conscience that it's a minor loss we're talking about or justify that loss by whatever reasons those people will find to give. To give an example: I came across a compilation of HAED charts in an ebook for free download a few weeks ago (and forwarded the link to Michelle). It had hundreds and hundreds of HAED charts in it, sorted by name and author. If someone downloaded it of course noone would want to add up the cost for all those charts and claim that to be loss to HAED, because noone downloading that ebook would stitch them all. But if each person who will download said ebook would stitch three charts out of almost 800 in there, that's three charts not sold by HAED. The usual price for a chart is $19 on the site. Let's pretend that person would have bought them during one of the 50% off sales. That would still be $ 28,50 not going to HAED. Now, if just 100 such people download that ebook in a month we are at $ 2850...you do the math yourself from here on. Frankly, the fact that one person could find over 800 charts to compile in an ebook makes me shudder as I don't believe that even one chart in there was bought by that person.<br />As to "I bought it I can do with it what I want" - Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but the law says otherwise. And no matter the ethical or religious background of a society there's one thing 99% of them have in commom: You CAN'T do what you want, not even with your own property, IF you are infringing the rights and/or risking the safety of others by your actions and all those societies have their laws made accordingly.<br /><br />DagmarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-10233594031783938442012-04-06T11:17:38.037-04:002012-04-06T11:17:38.037-04:00I really was amazed at this article. Thank you for...I really was amazed at this article. Thank you for all your thoughts and efforts that went into posting it. I hope loads of folks see this.<br /><br />I few years back I had a chart here in the shop, yes I have an LNS, it was missing a page in it. I contacted the designer and applauded her on idea for combating copyright infringements. She used security paper to print her charts on. like this kind (link: http://www.protectedpaper.com/product_p/obxuc.htm ) It is expensive paper, but is it as costly as the theft that is so rampant?? I don't know the answers to this very complicated problem. I just know that this industry is struggling, and many in it are not making their due. <br />Just a thought.<br />Cathycathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-60829177481457765112012-04-05T17:49:57.050-04:002012-04-05T17:49:57.050-04:00Hugs Melinda and our customers can always vouch fo...Hugs Melinda and our customers can always vouch for everything we do in both doing the right thing as well as the whole copyright issue. We have struggled with this for years and I stand by my fellow designers and friends in the industry on all levels.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874818005219201098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-71348832635551600952012-04-05T17:04:47.618-04:002012-04-05T17:04:47.618-04:00Well said.Well said.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04533953380558527527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-44944323752437326262012-04-05T17:03:42.052-04:002012-04-05T17:03:42.052-04:00This is a great post, and as I read along I though...This is a great post, and as I read along I thought of you often. So glad you are on here and replied to anonymous. I don't get why it is so hard for people to understand stealing is stealing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04533953380558527527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-66571831598635266362012-04-05T16:08:16.092-04:002012-04-05T16:08:16.092-04:00I suspect that Anonymous is Brenda and a known pro...I suspect that Anonymous is Brenda and a known problem causer....Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874818005219201098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-43255825645113763342012-04-05T16:00:54.448-04:002012-04-05T16:00:54.448-04:00How absolutely untrue Anonymous! We have never do...How absolutely untrue Anonymous! We have never done such a thing. We had a problem where some credit card numbers were hacked off our site and we shut it down immediately and went to a very secure server and the problem has ceased. Our customers speak for us and we went to the lengths of working with their bank and ours to track down the hacker and they were found to be in China. $4000.00 out of our pocket later we purchased a private server and moved everything. Absolutely untrue!Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874818005219201098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-12029241561887609392012-04-04T12:59:25.552-04:002012-04-04T12:59:25.552-04:00Nicole, thank you so much for taking the time to w...Nicole, thank you so much for taking the time to write this original essay and to continue to respond to comments. I am often asked for a pattern by my fellow stitchers and knitters and I always respectfully say no and explain why. Sometimes people understand, but often they get very huffy and defensive (a sure sign, in my mind, that deep down they are well aware that what they are asking for is wrong). If I am not articulate enough to get through to them, I can now point them to this article and hope that after reading it they will understand how damaging this practice is to any creative industry, be it writing, movies/TV, fiber arts, or what have you. I have seen WIPs of Antique Lace on a couple of blogs, and I really hope I have not been admiring the work of thieves.Tanya2https://www.blogger.com/profile/01658654617754225609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-52657511393654548842012-04-04T05:28:56.474-04:002012-04-04T05:28:56.474-04:00Laurylyan, my apologies for not making myself clea...Laurylyan, my apologies for not making myself clear -- when I said "you" I meant the Anonymous writer whom I was addressing in the previous sentence and people with the same opinion; I did not mean "you, Laurylyan" at all, but I should have been more explicit about that.<br /><br />Could you tell my "judeo-christian background" from my views on what is and what isn't theft? How interesting! I hadn't realised (which may be naive of me, but not, I hope, "nombrilistic" -- had to look that one up) that there are cultures in which taking something that isn't yours without in some way paying for it was considered a legitimate course of action. That of course makes international agreement rather difficult, although I do believe that (unless human rights are being infringed, and yes, I know that's a minefield too!) one should respect the law of the country from which it originates. However, I sense that you may disagree with me there :-).<br /><br />As for what makes an "original design" and what is nor more than "rearranging", I quite agree that there is no black and white there. On the whole the consensus seems to be (I'm putting this in the mildest of terms) that there are what you might call "building blocks" such as the cross stitch, the Kloster block and so on, and that these are free for people to use. I myself would never dream of trying to copyright a stitch, even though I have used stitches which I think are at least my own variation/combination but possibly my very own invention -- those stitches, like all the other combinations that people have invented over the centuries will become part of the building blocks. However, saying that the arrangement of these building blocks is therefore no more than a technique and not eligible for copyright is, to my mind, a non sequitur.<br /><br />Take the following two situations. Language has building blocks such as words, and larger blocks such as expressions. An expression like "you can talk until the cows come home" was once an original putting together of words. People liked it, started using it themselves, and in time it became one of the building blocks of English. But a story which contains such expressions is still an original story (or can be). In the same way, my Hardanger designs contain Kloster blocks and Rhodes stitches and so on, but put together in a way that has not been done before. And yes, I think your Portuguese, Moroccan, Greek, Bulgarian and other stitchers could very well claim that their particular arrangement of the elements is copyrighted, should they ever wish to chart and sell them.<br />A second example is music. There are notes, which are building blocks, and there are some combinations of, say, four or five notes which have become quite popular and which you may come across in several songs/symphonies/operas/hymns; or a rhythm, for example. Some songs or instrumental pieces even quote from earlier works. Even so, the new song that uses those notes and that rhythm can still be recognisably a "new song", and therefore eligible for copyright.<br /><br />So there you have it, my views on copyright and on respecting other people's laws/customs. If non-judeo-christian people feel that whatever is out there is a free for all, then I will not feel so bad if other people copy their designs, although I will still not do it myself. But if a designer is working within a culture/country where there is such a thing as copyright, I think it should be respected.<br /><br />I hope that's cleared up any misunderstandings?Ilke Cochranehttp://www.mabelfigworthy.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-19507410548926289772012-04-04T03:14:59.120-04:002012-04-04T03:14:59.120-04:00Potential client was recommended to me for typing ...Potential client was recommended to me for typing that she needed.<br /><br />She asked my charge; I told her $10 per hr. She felt that was outrageous! (I was earning more at my fulltime job!)<br /><br />I asked her what she usually paid; she paid $2.50 per page double spaced.<br /><br />I told her that I would keep track of my time to type her 20 pages - and she could pay me whichever finished amount she wanted.<br /><br />She paid me my $10. MUCH less than than $2.50 she had been paying.<br /><br />Designers! Stand firm! Ask magazines to publish at least twice a year about copyright infringements!!! And/or write To the Editor and have your say that way.<br /><br />Marny CA (who cannot get AIM to recognize me so 'anonymous' is shown) -- which is why I type my name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-44929834082757161652012-04-03T16:31:56.895-04:002012-04-03T16:31:56.895-04:00"Carried away"... Well... If you say so...."Carried away"... Well... If you say so...<br />Just a question when you say "you" here "All we ask is that if you do like them, and do want to stitch them, that you acquire them legally. That means buy them. And if you can't afford them, ask them for your birthday, or wait for a lottery win, whatever. But don't steal them and then pretend it's really quite all right and designers shouldn't make a fuss." do you mean "me, Laurylyan" or "you, all of you"?<br />I'm asking because, well... All my charts have been legally purchased or kindly offered, by other stitchers or by designers, as a thank you for my kind-hearted help in translations, proof-reading, freely offered. Just saying...<br /><br />When you say "But to some extent, it doesn't matter whether the losses are big or small, nor does it matter whether the "original" is still available to sell -- whatever the consequences or lack of consequences, downloading a chart that is not a freebie and for which you have not paid is theft. It's as simple as that." I'm quite sure that it is your judeo-christian background from an occidental background talking, but the problem, as you don't seem to be willing to consider another point of view than yours and luckily enough (for the sake of difference, alternative) this is NOT the point of view that is spread world-wide! And even if some countries signed, thanks to the OMC, some kind of copyright exchange agreement, the people are still living under other traditions. like in India, like in South Asia, like in many African countries, like in China, etc.<br />I'm NOT saying this is good or bad, I'm simply saying that the tradition (and thus the LAW) is different, and to be unwilling to acknowledge that fact and still believe that YOU are right and the others are wrong is simply going on and on into the dead-end.<br />This is how it is. The world is like that and whatever you say about the law in your part of the world is not going to change that. Nevertheless: Good luck to you if you want to try. ;)<br />And now the Industries are trying to make that nombrilistic view of the "Law" universal and to enforce it through ACTA, but the fact is F*** ACTA!<br /><br />WHen I see designers using hundreds of years old motifs rearrange them and dare to call it "creativity" and put the stamp "copyright" on it, I'm laughing! Are you paying your copyright fee when you are using a Kloster or any other speciality Hardanger stitch to make a new design? Nope! You're just a technique. Are you seeing the 70 yo ladies stitchers from Portugal, Spain, Marocco, Greece, Crete, Bulgaria, Ukraine applying the "Copyright" stampel on their table clothes, skirts, etc. ? Nope! Because it is their TRADITION! It's part of their history, it has a meaning! Each motif has a global sense and tells a story.<br />Like you could know in Alsace (France) from this kind of color and that type of motif and this stitch used here and there on their clothes which village they were coming from, even what their job was. Is that copyrighted? Can you copyright THAT?<br />Nope you can't! But how many "designers" using "creativity" copy all that and dare to say "It is original"! It's mine!..."<br />A very long time ago I asked one question on a Forum "How do you define Creativity?" and I'm still waiting for a good answer...<br /><br />Oups... Sorry, I got carried away. "end of rant" :)Laurylyanhttps://perlesdesoies.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-57247106616572999422012-04-03T09:25:48.533-04:002012-04-03T09:25:48.533-04:00Laurylyan, I agree that copyright infringement num...Laurylyan, I agree that copyright infringement numbers can be used wrong, or used to make the situation -- or rather the actual losses -- seem worse than they are. (Mind you, I don't think Nicole was using them in that way, as she herself points out that not all people who illegally download a chart would have bought it). I also agree with the person who said it is more like illegally getting into a concert than like stealing a physical object; perhaps illegally copying software comes closest.<br /><br />But to some extent, it doesn't matter whether the losses are big or small, nor does it matter whether the "original" is still available to sell -- whatever the consequences or lack of consequences, downloading a chart that is not a freebie and for which you have not paid is theft. It's as simple as that.<br /><br />I'm a relatively new designer who has so far (as far as I know, at least) escaped piracy, even though I sell my designs in PDF format. I have obviously been lucky enough to have had only committed stitchers with a conscience as customers, for which I am truly grateful. Like Nicole and many others I design for the love of it, and I would be designing (and sttitching the designs) whether I sold them or not. To that extent Anonymous (below) is correct in that nobody is forcing us to design. Likewise, no-one is forcing you to like the designs, or to stitch them. All we ask is that if you do like them, and do want to stitch them, that you acquire them legally. That means buy them. And if you can't afford them, ask them for your birthday, or wait for a lottery win, whatever. But don't steal them and then pretend it's really quite all right and designers shouldn't make a fuss.<br /><br />*end of rant* sorry, I got rather carried away...<br /><br />One last thing -- @ Petra, who says "So now we the paying customers need to feel pity for you. Congrats." The trouble with any posting like this is that it wil be read mostly by people who already agree. And as you say, the die-hard copyright infringers aren't going to lose any sleep over posts like these. However, some of the people reading this may be "ignorant infringers" in that they simply never thought about what it means to download these copies. And those people may just say, "Good heavens, I never knew that -- from now on I'll buy my charts", and that, surely, would be a good thing?<br />I don't think the designers who are losing out through copyright infringements and post about it particularly need you to feel sorry for them; they might, however, appreciate it if you, who are a legitimate paying customer yourself (and much valued for that), could say a word if you find others (for example on forums of which you are a member, or at your needlework group or among your friends) who are not being as conscientious as you are.Ilke Cochranehttp://www.mabelfigworthy.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-77995707851268767372012-04-03T01:28:10.902-04:002012-04-03T01:28:10.902-04:00I got to this post as a result of Anita's 2muc...I got to this post as a result of Anita's 2muchXS group. I've reported to Michele Sayetta four times that her charts are being pirated, and gone out of my way to pay for charts I was given that I now suspect were pirated. I'm a buyer, and copyright infringement concerns me. I reported several people on eBay for it as well, and the offending items were all taken down. It's very sad that these people don't see what they are doing to the industry. Who will be left standing when they finally realize they're only hurting themselves? A former friend tried to give me an HAED once, and I'm afraid I lectured her on copyright. I hoped she had learned her lesson, but I don't know for sure. She has the savvy to find the illegal sites, so I just let the friendship lapse. I guess I'm too cynical. I'm wondering how many people who have spoken up here today are just the people you're talking about.mdgtjuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06665956958250175869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486902113258728399.post-60219009621697408922012-04-02T17:57:43.051-04:002012-04-02T17:57:43.051-04:00Nicole,
What an outstanding post and article! I w...Nicole,<br />What an outstanding post and article! I was amazed at the potential costs to the industry - I had no idea this issue was so pervasive. I enjoy searching through the internet to find where to purchase charts once I've come across a beautiful design that catches my eye. I'm quite confident I will never have the time to complete all the charts I've now collected but frankly, I enjoy dreaming that I will!<br />While the $loss of illegal downloading and copyright infringement is staggering, what hasn't really been said much and should be highlighted as well is the artistic loss to the entire stitching community. I could never in a million years create the beautiful designs that I see come from so many of you designers. The industry needs to be kept vibrant and alive to ensure we do not lose this wonderful art medium. [Stephanie]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com