Can I use crochet patterns to make items for sale?

Can I use crochet patterns to make items for sale?

First, I want to stress very STRONGLY that I am NOT a lawyer and I recommend that you get legal advice from an attorney prior to making items for sale if you have any question whatsoever about selling goods which you've made from someone else's copyrighted pattern. But, my personal opinion on the matter is that only the copyright owner can make that decision. There are some copyright owners who don't allow it at all. Nothing for sale...period. On the other hand, there are some who allow it for "just a few." And, some say "as long as you're not mass-producing it." Some copyright notices will appear directly on the pattern itself, near the copyright symbol.

If it doesn't specify, your best bet is to email them and ask. On an email group called CrochetPartners, Jean Leinhauser from American School of Needlework made a statement that ASN didn't mind their patterns used for crafters selling their wares. But, if you were to make a lot of them, I'd suggest you get that in writing, if possible. I have no idea on the opinion of Leisure Arts or any of the other "biggies." Crochet Fantasy doesn't own the copyrights to most of the patterns published in their magazine, and that right is retained by the original designer. If you're looking for an email/website on a particular designer, I have a listing of published designers here. And, for those patterns which you find on the internet, you can email the owner directly from the site in most cases to find out whether he/she minds your using the patterns for profit. Please remember that, although the patterns are freely available by the designers on the internet, the patterns are still under copyright and only the copyright holder has the right to make decisions about their distribution.

With regard to my own complimentary patterns, they are for personal use only....gifts for the family, friends, yourself, etc. However, anyone who has ever asked to sell some of the finished items made from my patterns has emailed me and I've given my wholehearted permission each time. I like to know how my designs are being used for marketing purposes and, I must admit, selfish reasons as well. *grins* I rarely get to hear about the end result when someone has completed one of my designs and it's great for the ole ego. :-) However, I would never allow my patterns to be used in mass production and I do not allow my "for sale" designs to be sold as finished items, except in limited instances and with express permission from me.