| Copyrights, are common concerns for | | | | |
| craftspeople. If you've | | | | publicly. This includes your craft show |
| | | | products.The copyright protects the form of |
| invented a unique product, you will more | | | | expression rather than the |
| than likely want to | | | | |
| | | | subject matter of the writing. For example, |
| protect it from others who can create | | | | a description of a |
| knock-offs of your craft | | | | |
| | | | machine could be copyrighted, but this would |
| show gem at cheaper prices. Although it may | | | | only prevent others |
| be flattering to | | | | |
| | | | from copying the description; it would not |
| have created a craft item others want to | | | | prevent others from |
| duplicate, it can also | | | | |
| | | | writing a description of their own or from |
| be a nightmare to see your distinctive | | | | making and using the |
| creation on the Home | | | | |
| | | | machine. Copyrights are registered by the |
| Shopping Network! The United States Patent | | | | Copyright Office of |
| and Trademark | | | | |
| | | | the Library of Congress." ( people think of |
| Organization Web site ( is a good place to | | | | copyrights for books or music and not |
| learn | | | | |
| | | | creative arts like paintings or crafts, but |
| the differences between trademarks and | | | | a copyright can |
| patents and to learn what | | | | |
| | | | protect all forms of creative expression and |
| is best for your situation. For more | | | | visual arts. Visual |
| information and to apply | | | | |
| | | | arts are defined as original pictorial, |
| for a copyright go to attorneys may be | | | | graphic and sculptural |
| costly, some offer free 30-minute | | | | |
| | | | works, which include two-dimensional and |
| consultations, so you may be able to find | | | | three-dimensional works |
| one who can tell you | | | | |
| | | | of fine, graphic and applied art. Some |
| what's the best protection for your craft | | | | examples are:Artificial flowers and plants |
| show product. If you | | | | Artwork applied to clothing or to |
| | | | |
| find the costs are prohibitive for you to | | | | other useful articles Collages Dolls, toys |
| secure a trademark, | | | | Drawings, paintings, |
| | | | |
| patent or whatever you find you need, you'll | | | | murals Enamel works Greeting cards, |
| just have to take | | | | postcards, stationery |
| | | | |
| your chances without one. Again, check with | | | | Jewelry designs Mosaics Needlework and craft |
| other crafters | | | | kits Original |
| | | | |
| through shows and forums, as well as your | | | | prints, such as engravings, etchings, |
| craft organizations to | | | | serigraphs, silk screen |
| | | | |
| find out what they've done to protect their | | | | prints, woodblock prints Patterns for |
| crafts. Those who | | | | sewing, knitting, crochet, |
| | | | |
| have come before you can ease your way so | | | | needlework Reproductions, such as |
| you don't have to | | | | lithographs, collotypes |
| | | | |
| reinvent the wheel.Your Copyright"A | | | | Sculpture, such as carvings, ceramics, |
| copyright is a form of protection provided to | | | | figurines, molds, relief |
| the authors of | | | | |
| | | | sculptures Stained glass designs Stencils, |
| 'original works of authorship' including | | | | cut-outs Weaving |
| literary, dramatic, | | | | |
| | | | designs, lace designs, tapestriesA copyright |
| musical, artistic, and certain other | | | | gives the creator of the product exclusive |
| intellectual works, both | | | | rights to |
| | | | |
| published and unpublished. The 1976 | | | | produce, sell and distribute the item. When |
| Copyright Act generally | | | | your work is |
| | | | |
| gives the owner of copyright the exclusive | | | | created, it is automatically copyrighted, |
| right to reproduce | | | | however, for optimum |
| | | | |
| the copyrighted work, to prepare derivative | | | | protection, it's best to apply for a |
| works, to distribute | | | | copyright. When obtained, |
| | | | |
| copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted | | | | you can add the copyright symbol (c) on all |
| work, to perform the | | | | your materials.Copyright your designs, so you |
| | | | have legal proof in case someone |
| copyrighted work publicly, or to display the | | | | |
| copyrighted work | | | | copies your work. |