Is it alright to teach Laura's designs?
Nope. The technical answer is long and tedious: all designs are legally protected by copyright, blah, blah, blah . . . .
The simple truth: it's about
respect. By teaching the designs of others, people are not respecting
the artist or themselves. While stealing designs and teaching
unauthorized workshops will, in the short run, take away from the
artist's well earned right to making a living, the long term damage is
greatest on the copier, who eventually will find they cannot make a
name for themselves based on taking from others.
Is it alright to sell Laura's designs as finished work?
I'm the first to admit that
selling beadwork is necessary to support the habit. That said, I am a
working artist who sells finished work. While I allow students to sell
workshop, book and pattern projects in an informal setting, such as to
friends, I ask that work not be sold, with or without credit to me, in
a formal setting such as a shop, gallery or art show. Again, as with
the teaching, short term it takes away from the artist but long term it
will hurt the copier. There is no greater shame in the world of art
and design than failing to show your own creativity by stealing designs
from others.
Is it alright to photocopy patterns?
When it comes to book and magazine patterns, the publishers take issue with photocopies as they are considered a copyright violation. The best thing to do is buy another book or magazine or borrow it from your library. One periodical per person equals happy publishers, happy artists, and full respect for copyright.
When it comes to my own patterns, any for-sale patterns or kit instructions are not intended for reproduction or resale. Patterns that are issued as gift patterns (such as the ones sent annually in the holiday newsletter) can be freely distributed so long as it is in a not-for-profit manner.
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