On Originality

So here's a little story, pretty amazing in its small-world coincidences, but probably also illustrative of how Facebook has tightened up the degrees of separation between us all.

Last Thursday morning I opened up Facebook and saw, first thing, that a FB friend, who lives in another city, had reposted a post from a Quilt Shop, in yet another city, showcasing the work of one of their customers, "Carol". What surprised and confused me, was that, at first I thought I was looking at photos of my own work, especially this one.

On closer inspection I could see that it was not mine, but a very close copy. Here is my original work, posted on my blog in 2009.

See why I was confused?

 

And, here's the crazy thing. My friend did not post this because she recognized it as my design, but because "Carol", maker of the top bird, is her cousin. She was just sharing her pride in the shop's recognition of her creative cousin!

 

I contacted the quilt shop. They were embarrassed and apologetic and, with amazing speed, added a note clarifying that the work posted was a copy of my original design. And that works for me. I have no interest in embarrassing anyone, which is why I have not included names or locations for anyone involved here. I feel quite certain the quilt shop that posted did so innocently believing the work was Carol's. Carol probably did not either think or know to tell anyone otherwise and, by omission, allowed assumptions to be made. It happens. All. The. Time. But it shouldn't.

 

You may think I am being petty, and what does it matter, anyway? I think it matters. Copyright is a legal matter. Copying someone else's intellectual property and representing it as your own is illegal. More to my point though, is that it is a matter of personal integrity. Can you imagine my mixture of feelings reading the comments left for Carol?

"Beautiful...I especially love the bird and sun. . . .These make me happy. :)"

"She is one talented lady...beautiful."

So, as this type of thing comes up more and more often, and is discussed in the art quilting community, there are all kinds of justifications made for copying, just as there are condemnations, and I understand those justifications—that it is a learning exercise, that it is for private use, that there are really "no new ideas" and on and on, but to me it is simple. If you do not have permission, don't do it. Do your own work. Discover the joy of creating something uniquely yours. It will mean so much more to you. Honestly, it will. If you simply cannot find that in yourself, find a published pattern, made for the purpose of being copied. (And then give credit to the original designer any time you show it anywhere!)

And, while I'm on the subject, see that "Fire" piece above? That photo has been pinned to Pinterest many, many times. At least twice a month I get an email from someone asking if I have a pattern for it, or if they can copy it. I do not offer a pattern. This was an original work. I really don't want to allow copies. I doubt that the lovely woman who bought it wants to see copies floating around the internet either. I am thrilled that you like it that well and hope you can be satisfied to just enjoy it on Pinterest.

Thank you.

 

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