Everyone:
Over the next few days you will notice that some of my patterns that used to be free aren't anymore. Please copy the ones you want before they aren't free anymore. I was browsing Google and I noticed that people were taking my patterns, changing them slightly, then selling the finished product without crediting me at all. I feel betrayed. I will offer the hat patterns for $3 a piece. That isn't too much right? If this was just one incident I would approach the person but it has been happening more and more. I know what my own patterns look like and by making one shorter instead of slouchy or making the star hat and changing the trim doesn't change it enough to sell it and call it your own. I'm sorry to all of the honest people out there. It just hurts that I put a pattern out for free so people can make awesome stuff and they are turning around and making money off of it and not even crediting me. I could have put it in my etsy shop from the beginning but I didn't. I will leave some patterns up for free but others I will be taking down.
The following is a list of patterns I will be removing. Please copy them quickly because within a few days they will be gone.
super long goth hat
candy rainbow slouch hat
valentine's day project 2010
winter slouch hat
pretty purple cable slouch hat
super star slouchy hat
star spiral slouch hat
valentine slouch hat
cable fae slouch hat
child's rainbow star beanie
queen of hearts slouchy hat
star slouchy hat
rainbow hat with star
You honest people out there I am sorry. Please copy the patterns you want. I am giving you a few days to do it. That is the best I can do.
Here are just a couple listings I have found. This is just on Etsy. Who knows how many more are out there on different sites?
(the person who was listed here contacted me, apologized, and removed their listing. Thank you.)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37137688
35 comments:
I haven't used any of your patterns yet, but I know when I finally do learn properly to crochet confidently, I wouldn't mind paying for a pattern. They are great!! :)
Ooo I just had to put my 2 bobs in.. that is SO wrong that people are doing that, can you not complian to the site where they are being sold?
Especially now with google being charged because it was their site, other internet sites will be more wary now there is a precedent.
Stick up for yourself, these people need to be taught a lesson, man there are some scum bags out there :(
U're right! It's not fair if someone use your patterns. I always use patters for myself and your patterns deserves a little bit respect.
I believe you may have a copyright infringement case here - I'd at least look into it if I were you. You are very clear about how your free patterns are to be used - just like lots of others that offer their patterns for free. I wouldn't mind paying for patterns - so I'm not saying this because I don't want to pay - I just feel it is so WRONG of someone to do that... just my opinion! Hope your day gets better... :)
It's sets my ears on fire every time I hear about copyright infringement. You already know how I feel about it. I saved a couple of the free ones that I may one day attempt but will GLADLY pay for those that I use more often!! I would absolutely contact etsy!!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. I love your patterns, and my sister loved the convertible hat I made her for xmas from your pattern.
I'd definitely contact etsy.
Thanks everyone. I think I will talk to the person first before I contact Etsy. Maybe they really didn't know I didn't allow that. I just put up a CC license on everything so there shouldn't be any room for doubt now. I just don't know what else to do. Each pattern was changed slightly. for example, one was a longer version of my fae pattern. The other one just had extra fpdc sections going down it. The Star one just had a different trim and the person even put a picture up of the trim to show that it was different. Another person I saw just took my Pretty Purple Cable Slouch Hat and made it into a beanie instead of a slouch hat. Slight differences so I am not sure I can prove it was my pattern. It makes me really dissapointed. I am going to put a list of the patterns I am taking down in this post. So check it again and save what you want. I keep feeling like I am punishing everyone and I hate that but if a few people have done this then what about all the people I haven't caught? I am trying to make a living off of this and people are pretty much shoplifting from me :(
Thanks for the advanced warning April. I really am dismayed that people would be doing that. I intend to be making your patterns, and posting pictures with links to you for it... not selling the stuff. It's not mine to sell.
The dishonesty of some people really amazes me.
Thank you for the patterns that are available. I really have been enjoying making the rainbow pony since I bought the pattern from your etsy. You have a wonderful gift for design.
... actually, speaking of that... did you have a banner or something so that I can link to you? I would love to send more business your way since you truly deserve it.
I can't believe people would do that!! I would def. pay for your patterns! They're worth it!!
I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. It's sick when people will do this kind of thing. I really enjoy your patterns and hate to see the free ones go, but I understand why you have to do it. I would do the same thing if I were in your shoes. I think it's awesome that you even allowed for a couple of days to copy the free ones before you remove them. Thank you for that. I can't wait to see what you come up with next and I for one would be happy to pay for the patterns if it means you would be willing to keep coming up with them!!
I dunno, this is so hard. First off, Im sorry you feel super down about this, I guess I cannot say that I wouldn't feel any different. When it comes to "free" patterns people don't usually pay attention. Altering a pattern drastically can make a new one, and then of course someone thinks they have created their own. Such a hard call if you ask me. You do however state that it is for personal use only. But, sadly, I don't think your going to have a win on your hands. She could just claim she wrote it first or some blah blah blah about that. I feel bad for you, your patterns are lovely, sadly this is what happens when we open ourselves up to the public. I would contact the person and let them know how you feel. Thats probably all you can really do, but I think its good your standing up. I think it would be a VERY different situation had she contacted you, said she morphed the pattern and is using it for sale but would like you to have pattern rights....ie placing your name/site/etsy whatever in the listing. Would that make you feel better? Good luck!!
Thanks. Changing it drastically would be fine but changing it slightly is another story.
I'm so sorry, April. That's terrible.
Wow I'm really disappointed in the people doing this. I thought people were more respectful. I really enjoy your patterns, and I have copied them (thank you very much for the heads-up, I really appreciate it!!) I don't think $3 is a lot for a pattern but unfortunately I do no have any extra money for purchasing pattern, which makes me even sadder. But, I might make it my mission to make all your hats with the left over yarn I have, which will prob keep me busy until I do have monies :)
Unique2it: thanks. I'm glad you have them copied. I really didn't want to take them down. I understand a lot of people (myself included) are hurting for money. That is one of the reasons I put them up for free in the first place and why I am leaving a bunch up still. Don't worry I will still put free patterns up once in a while :)
There are bad people out there and what goes around comes around. Sorry those people hurt you, April. I agree with your course of action. I appreciate the heads up and have copied the projects I would like to try. Please remember that there are lots of us who love you and your works and visit your Blog just to see what's new and what's happening. I check in daily and enjoy it very much.
Thanks Everyone for your supportive comments. They mean a lot :)
Tiggy: Thanks :) Sorry I missed your post. Yes I do have a banner. It is labeled "Blog Button" you can find it on the main page right below my pic.
I am really sorry to hear that, I think you are absolutely right to charge for them. If they are selling them on Etsy, you can have them banned for doing this to you. I have heard way too much about people doing the same thing, they change it ever so slightly, and claim it as theirs. It is wrong, and I agree with Illyanna, they should be stopped!
I reported them so we will see if anything comes of it.
Just wanted to show you my support. I have read your patterns and I think they're great. I haven't made anything yet. I think that crochet designers should be paid for their work and your work is very good. Don't feel bad about taking the patterns down. It's only fair to you. I think you were clear in stating the patterns were for personal use only. People do this because they think they can get away with it. I'm glad you reported them and I hope that you earn money from pattern sales.
Yeah..what everyone else said. You posted the patterns, made it perfectly clear what could and couldn't be done with them, and because it's the Internet, peopleb think they can snag stuff, claim it as theirs and no one will be the wiser. Another gals whose blog I follow had a similar thing happen to her a year or so back. She found someone taking her patterns from Etsy and selling the same patterns on eBay as hers.
I'm always worried when I'm designing something new. I draw a lot of inspiration from things I've seen and things I've made before. I'm always worried that one of my patterns will be too similar to something else out there
P.S....another big fan here! I looove your patterns. Sorry this happened to you.
TheHMC: I tend to not worry if the stuff I make has been done before. I don't look at any pictures when I start creating unless I am doing something from a movie. (and if I am doing something from a movie I make sure I am not making money off of it so I don't get in trouble)I write down the pattern as I go. The patterns are mine. I also don't buy patterns so there is no way I can accidentally copy anyone. As you can see in the pictures those people copied me exactly. you can even count the stitches. My free pattern was up for about a month or more before their hat was listed. I went into their sales and apparently they haven't sold any more hats like that so from the date on their listings that is more proof my pattern defiantly came first. It will all turn out though. I am not as mad as I was. It just sucks that I can't post as many designs for free anymore. I love helping people out. Thank You for your support it really means a lot :)
Darn. I don't get online much these days, I had no idea about this until today. It really sucks that someone was doing that with your patterns. I didn't get a chance to save the ones I wanted to use. I hope everyone else did. I'm sorry to hear about this, it's so wrong. Some people have no respect for the hard work others put in.
I just wanted to say April that I love your patterns and have made one or two of them. Your patterns are ultimately yours and no one has the right to take that from you. Paying for them in the future will be a pleasure. Thanks so much for your hard work.
Definitely unfair of others to use your patterns for their own profits... Do what you gotta do!
When sharing patterns, most do it out of the goodness of their heart and love of the craft. It's a shame that someone would monopolize that.
I've tried one of your patterns, and I have every intention of paying you for it should I sell (and I might, because a friend liked it and was asking how much to order). Like you said, I did change some things, but everywhere I posted it (on my plurk and my facebook) I made sure I credited it to you. In the blog, you asked to post links to pics, so here:
http://images.plurk.com/3443679_f77c5ddfff084324d277c5949722d58a.jpg
http://images.plurk.com/3443679_ab97798c09c5c8ead22473a0f5aa322d.jpg
thanks for sharing!
Aww I missed the pattern saving period >< So sorry that those people had to go and do that! I've had it happen before too :/ Your patterns are great and i'm sure you'll get a lot of customers!
I love your patterns and i have used them so many times for personal use, so many awesome gifts, thank you so much for that patterns you have offered aand people suck when they ruin things for the people who only use them for personal use. I'm hoping I can buy some of these patterns from you in the future or try to kind of make some of the similar ones. Again people suck but you rock.
Thanks Everyone :) It makes me feel better that you understand why I did what I did.
Hi April,
My name is Bob and I'm new to your blog. So sorry to hear about people taking advantage of a good thing. I know how dreadful it can feel to help someone out only for them to take advantage of you. I hope that you are able to work out something with Etsy. My luck with them in the past has been awful and I don't buy patterns from them anymore.
knottymale: That sucks you had problems with them. I guess it depends on who you are buying from. The thing I like about Etsy is I am in charge of the whole process. I personally e-mail people their patterns. It isn't automatic. I just don't trust a program or machine to handle my patterns. The only problem I have encountered so far is some people have trouble with paypal or they don't fully complete the order. Did you encounter a different problem with it? If so I would love to know about it so I am prepared in the future if something should come up.
My sympathy goes out to you, but to everyone else. Some of these patterns were posted some time ago, and not alot of people knew that they were not to be sold. It's not right to call other people "scumbags" etc. because of their ignorance.
Thanks for the free patterns! I copied a couple slouchy hat patterns before the weren't free anymore. You're very creative! keep up the awesome good work!!
I made a slouchy hat for myself and my grandmother loved it so much she wanted me to make her one. lol
She wanted it in a really fuzzy yarn haha. My granny's hip.
April didn't call them scumbags, I did. And actually it is right, other than moral reason, try and argue ignorance in a court of law... I end my case.
:P haha
I wasn't referring to April Draven when I commented. I don't want to argue with you, I simply stated my opinion.
Now the people who sold April's patterns know how to correctly use them, and there's no reason to call names.
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