Barbara Bergsten is known for both colorful stitch painted canvases and posting stitch guides for them on her website. In this blog posting she asks whether she is opening herself up to copyright theft by being so open and giving?
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/06/needlepoint-and-the-web.html
It's a tough question. I think she is opening a door to those who want to steal her work but on the other hand, I think most stitchers are honest and won't do so if they are aware that they are hurting Barbara and the rest of the great designers who do so much to make our stitching lives great. What do you think?
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
8 comments:
Hi Jane. I found this a very provocative question. I had never seen Barbara's work but I admire her open approach. I'm thinking on it for a little while before I respond...
It's a puzzler. We all have seen how cross stitch designers have been crushed by rampant xeroxing and trading of their charts. The needlepoint world has been less effected, perhaps because painted canvases, even clearly stitch painted ones like Barbara's, take effort to copy. You can't slap a canvas down on a copier and run off multiple copies on NP canvas like you can a chart on paper. Perhaps the folks who sell counted canvaswork charts have a better idea of how much impact copying has on NP? As I said, it's a puzzler because we don't have facts.
Actually you can slap a canvas on a copier and get a pretty good image, and this is unfortunate. There will always be a small contingent of stitchers who are unwilling to pay for a painted canvas, but I don't think this is the majority.
You are right, Peggi, but the copy is likely to be off center. Many printers don't feed NP canvas well. You have to have the right printer for it to work even poorly. I think that protects our designers somewhat, although you are right--there's always one cheater ready to try. Most needlepointers are good people, though.
This is a discussion that has been around for a long time. I'm not sure if it's getting better or not for designers. I like to think it is better. I am dating myself here, but having been a needlepointer since 1976 I've seen a change...years ago I would drive over a hundred miles for a class after working all day and paid a babysitter. Many people wanted me to give them my class directions. I never did. Back then we were in heaven with 10 to the inch and wool yarn...who knew??? Later on my Mom started taking classes with me and we traveled all over Calif to a few Seminars, Classes, workshops. Many times people wanted to copy our designs and we always said no with an explanation of why.
Blank canvas designs and now painted canvases. Look at all the threads and beads and sequins.. Lets not forget about the wonderful friends we make over the years and over the net with all the wonderful blogs. If we want to continue this hobby and passion we need to be mindful of what allows us to continue. I think most are mindful of this
Recently my Mom passed away and I am knee deep in Canvases, classes in duplicate. I have a stash second to none and Evertites. We never copied or gave any directions away. I think its a matter of integrity and the love of Needlepoint. So many shops are closing and people are struggling. I guess my point is we all know right from wrong and enjoy the hobby and love what our Designers provide for us. I don't want to step on anyones toes but to copy is a No No and we all know it. As I walk down my hallway I see so many pretty things and I remember so many happy times taking a class and all the friends I have made. Now with the Blogs we are friends with people we've never met and the wealth of knowledge we have at our fingertips is amazing. I think we all want it to continue. Maybe I am under a rock but I think most are responsible and respectful of the rules. Off my soapbox Hope I didn't offend. Back to organizing my stash!!! Whew
Sue V
Ca
I'm all about needlepoint being fun and easy. I stitch paint my canvases so the stitcher knows exactly where to put the thread. Then I took my painting a step further and painted the decorative stitches right on the canvas. Jane, you have been so supportive of my work and I really appreciate all your advice and support! It takes a long time to write each stitch guide I have uploaded to my web site. I chose not to charge for my stitch guides because I wanted them to be accessible and easy for the shop owner and the customer. Maybe this wasn't a good decision? It will be interesting to hear what your readers have to say. Thank you again for all you have done for me!
Barbara, we love our designers here in CH so we are very happy to help any way we can. As you can see from the discussion above, no one thinks you made a bad choice in including free stitch guides on your website for your designs. I personally don't think it will hurt you but I guess we have to wait and see.
Hugs!
This has been a recurring problem since it became easier to copy designs. Many people don't really understand that when they copy a design they are depriving the designer of their livelihood. Even more, they have not the faintest idea how much time and effort goes into planning a design.
As with so many of these questions, education - and a certain amount of ingenuity are going to be needed to rebalance the needlework industry.
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