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unpublished.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