Black Market Crochet Patterns

When I sat down to write this post, I had something completely different in mind... and in keeping with my 2021 "Positive Posts Only" resolution, I had reservations about writing about it at all.. 

But given that it may help other designers out there, I went ahead with my overall plan... without my original idea.

I had made graphics to use, that would give readers a visual reference, so they could see for themselves - it wasn't just 'knock offs' - but the actual work of different crochet artists, whose only mistake was to be too generous with their talents -
but as I began to lookup links to give proper credit, I found I didn't want to embarrass anyone, so I quickly tossed out the graphics and tried to figure out another way to go about sharing this information.

Over the weekend, I got a phone call from a very dear friend, who had been informed that one of her patterns was being sold in an etsy storefront - someone she didn't know and obviously, had never given permission to sell her pattern.
When I looked at the storefront - to help gauge if it was a knock off attempt or her actual work as well as to see what could be done - I recognized several designer's patterns being sold... MANY of which were FREE online, from their original authors.  

Many people get frustrated, angry and confused on what to do.  Their immediate reaction is, and rightfully so, to lash out at the person posting their stolen work - essentially a throat punch through written word. 
Which, either elicits no reply at all or the "I didn't know" reply... and the work is removed.
In those cases - situation handled and you move on... but what of the 'seller' or sharer who ignores you or goes a step further and "blocks" you?

You can handle most copyright issues on your own by contacting the venue where your work is being illegally displayed or sold - and remember -  even YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS are your own intellectual property - NO ONE has the right to display them without permission.

MOST venues will have a form they request you fill out -
BUT here is what the Legal Team of any site will need to know when you are claiming infringement; so if writing blindly to a website - make sure you include all the following information:

Your Name: your legal name
Your Organization: your business name/store name
Your Job Title (if applicable) : Designer/Artist or Owner
Mailing Address: your physical mailing address
Phone Number: your telephone number
Email: your business related eMail address
Where the rights are based: USA, UK... elsewhere
Who owns the copyright: your name
When it was copyright: Registration Number & Date/or when it was first published in written/print form (Ie: when you published it to your blog, store, etc) 
What type of content are you reporting: Photo(s), Written Materials(s), etc
Links (URLs) leading directly to specific content you are reporting:
Link 1:
Link 2: 

This (pick one: "written material"/"photo") is the intellectual property of (your business name here), including, but not limited to the character(s) (the name of your product - Ie: "Gideon the Gargoyle"). 

Because of these rights, no one is authorized to manufacture, copy, advertise, offer for sale/sell or distribute freely any products utilizing the (your business name here) name. I am writing to you in good faith belief, that the material contained within this complaint is not being used with the copyright holder's permission, it's agent or the law.

Remember, If or When you contact a host venue - they are most likely unaware that your material is being infringed upon - they are not ignorant to the fact it happens, but they cannot possibly know everything that their users are doing on their website.  So be professional!

The best way to help prevent the sale of your hard work is the WATERMARK!

People have always questioned me as to why I ruin great photos with a watermark through a foot, or arm.. or ear - wherever it overlaps part of the subject of the photo...

The answer is simple - because it can't be 'cropped out' without ruining the photo...
Watermarks also help YOU with host venues - an image on the "Stiches from Witches" storefront, with a "FDbyK4TT" watermark and a copyright claim coming from FDbyK4TT, is sort of a no-brainer (not to mention an easily proven infringement) for the IP Clerks of any host site.

It doesn't matter if it's a free pattern or a picture of your finished work from someone else's pattern - WATERMARK IT (your photo could be used to sell someone else's pattern, if the designer has been dutiful in watermarking their work!!) .

You don't need an expensive art program, (the one I use was originally a 'freeware' program, while it was in beta testing) - if you are a Windows User - you can use a Windows Accessory Tool "Paint"...  I do not use Microsoft Paint - so I do not know all of it's pros/cons, but it's basic enough to add a simple "Text" watermark on top of your photo, to help you avoid having your work used illegally.  

There are MANY image programs out there for free as well as to purchase.  Find the one that suits your needs best and protect your photos on the Internet from people who will do naughty things with them!

About the title of this Entry... it was a comical funny .. literally, I laughed out loud for a good 5 minutes when my friend first referred to her theft issue as "Black Marketed Patterns" and then went into a fit of giggle again later during the conversation - although what happened was not a laughing issue.... I had never considered that particular term when thinking about the issue that designers face with the 'copycats'... In searching for graphics to use in this entry, I learned that someone actually has a storefront by the same name!!
Kudos to her! It's quirky and definitely a name that will stick with you. 

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