Copyright Issues...

[skbohanon]

Can someone help me understand all the copyright laws pertaining to free scrapbook elements (paper, embellishments, etc)?

I make my own holiday cards for my family and I've had many people ask if I can do the same for their family. Obviously I see this as a possibility to earn a little extra money or to atleast off-set the expense it costs me to do it, but I also don't want to break any copyright laws. All the research I've done is so confusing and not very clear.

I'm all for giving credit where credit is due and don't intend to "steal" anything from someone so some explanation would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!!

[Pauline]

I would think that the copyright laws would be the same as those for painters. As I painter, I paint my own designs but a lot of the designs come from books. I am allowed to see the results of my work, but not MASS PRODUCE, or sell someone someone else's pattern.

In other words, if you are doing work for someone you are charging for your time and effort of putting it all together. Were you to say, make a copy of a cd containing all the scrap book paper, embellisments, etc. that you have been bought that would be against copyright laws. It is assumed by the people who design the scrap book stuff that it will be used not just for personal use but as gifts, and sales at craft shows etc.

I hope I've explained this properly. If someone were to want to get into scrap booking and liked some of your products, then you could direct them to the proper site to buy their own.

Also, don't sell yourself short. Far too many people expect something for nothing, and don't take into consideration the considerable cost you have put out in your investment.

[skbohanon]

Thank you Pauline!

Your explanation was very understandable. Now I can design "guilt free"!

[GaryK]

If you are doing cards, I have seen some with the creators name on the back. You could also give credit there if you know who created the pattern/embelishment.

I would think that if they only wanted you to use the things for personal use, then they would say so, either on the website it was downlaoded from, or on the CD.