It's not a story, it's true!!!!
Once upon a time, not too long ago, a designer who was given fabric by a major fabric company designed beautiful quilts for her book.
The book was published. She had worked very hard to design the patterns.
Its a very nice book with patterns for us all to use and it's produced by another major book company.
One day, a letter came in the post.
"Dear Madam we are suing you for $150.000 because you used the fabric designed by our client" !!!!!
The book Author/designer, was in distress…. the book company went into disaster mode and the rest is history.
What is the end of the story…?
Is there a happy end.?
No one knows yet.?
Do we have to look at the selvedge of the fabric….
"Don't use this fabric in your quilt and publish it" or the fabric designer will sue you!!!!
Sad, but true.
No, it's not my story, but I used my fabrics in the photo for example…
They should be honoured that their fabric was used and think of all the sales that would be generated.
Well yes, you would think so…. I can’t quite work this one out really.
It’s not quite in the spirit of being a quilter, designer or Author.
So negative. Can imagine this will have huge implications. Gosh Id be thrilled that the designer used my fabric!
Just don’t get it I’m afraid.
The fabric designer is unlikely to lose money because their fabric has been used in a quilt which is featured in a book.
How much money does the fabric designer think the author will make from the book, and how much the book might increase the sales of the fabric if it is still available?
Judy b
And what will be the result of this nonsense for fabric manufacturers? For me, I’ll be buying FAR less and creating my own fabric FAR more. Alas, these people seemed to have been standing behind a pole when some sage advised, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Great comments everyone. I think its a sorry state of affairs. Fortunately it doesn’t happen often
Easy to agree with all these comments. It’s simply about acknowledgement. In a social setting that is to be desired and is respectful. In the commercial arena it becomes a legal issue. It’s what a least one page of every book seems to be for. If you are reading a book and think ‘gee’ that’s lovely fabric, I wonder who designed it – and where I can get it – then if that fabric is identifiable it should it be named somewhere on the page of acknowledgements. Good for everyone. Wouldn’t have been happening to date and yes where does the collection of information end? I recently looked up the selvedge info on a piece of fabric using the internet simply to acknowledge it properly as the challenge fabric in a competition. Years ago this would not have been possible, so the ease of this research has a lot of implications.
I have also been involved with a situation and the resolution is that when a photo of a winning quilt is ‘published’ be that in a magazine or on the web, then if that quilt was made from a pattern available by a third party, the third party should be acknowledged. That is how they can receive credit for the work that they do (not necessarily financial, but respectful). To acknowledge the fabric used within a quilt, within a photo, takes that principal to a whole other level again. Should a publisher manage that? These issues promote thoughtful conversation and I think that’s a good thing.
I think I agree with Candy but I don’t think we have all the facts. Was the fabric given to her to promote the range? When she wrote the book did she acknowledge the fabrics used? If these things took place she should be legally covered. However if she didn’t she is open to legal action.
Also, is this a first for this kind of case? Makes you think that is for sure.
Candy, I agree with you.
However, I believe, the fabric designer was given recognition in the book.
The Fabric company gave the Author the fabric to use.
The book company has never had a situation like this before. Trust me, these are big players in the quilt world.
People who have used my patterns and won awards have notified me and given me recognition…. in fact The 1776 quilt pattern or patterns from my book have won numerous awards… to be honest, that’s a given, its just plain polite.
Its something for designers to consider…
Having worked in the area of Fashion design for 20 years… I never ever gave a thought to recognizing the designer of the fabric !!!!
Thanks ladies, I love an ‘agreeable’ conversation and yes it is so important to address facts.
More info on this matter has been posted and what is most disappointing is the number of nasty comments people make when it is so obvious that the have no concept of ‘fact’. That is really sad.
http://generationqmagazine.com/2012/03/notions-copy-wrongs-and-rights/
The information is circulating well, there seems to be some discrepancy in some of the articles I’ve viewed.
My Tutor peers have covered if thoroughly and agreed but I think everyone can make up their own mind on the information provided.
I for one will look more closely at copyright.
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