 From
the Editor and Jody Valentine
Together, Jody Valentine and I are going to write this editorial
because we both share strong feelings about this hot topic. When Jody sent
in her column for this issue, my heart almost broke when I read "Horrors!
Copyright infringement? As an instructor and designer, I receive dozens of
questions about this topic. Where is the line drawn? This article is
written for consumer awareness on this controversial subject. A couple of
months ago, while thumbing through a needlework magazine, I suddenly
stopped in total amazement. WHAM! One of my first designs had been
altered, adapted and reproduced as a new design by someone else. My design
had been lifted! At first I thought 'to copy is a compliment and a sincere
form of flattery.' Then, I realized changes had been made to my design,
and then reproduced and publicized for profit or recognition without my
permission. This was another issue. Ironically, it just happened again in
another magazine! What a sad experience! When a design or concept is good,
inevitably this will happen, but it is very disappointing to see someone
take your idea, alter the design a little and think it is okay. It is not
okay to copy and market anyone's design. This is unfortunate for the
industry, designer and public."
Jody went on to talk about copyrights and other forms of protection for
designers. I could tell that she had been deeply hurt. As I pondered her
dilemma, I thought of other issues we need to discuss. I would like to
offer, for your consideration, the "rest of the story."
I know that there is not a person reading this editorial who would
stand at a counter in a retail shop, put a hand in the till and walk away
with a fistful of money. Somehow we don't make the connection that theft
is theft. For someone to steal the essence of a designer's work is theft.
So is taking a photocopy of any printed matter and giving it to friends so
they don't have to spend the money to buy the original item. Our copyright
in this magazine does not allow for photocopying. If a group wants to have
a "class" or day of stitching on one of our projects, we are
happy to send the entire order with a magazine for each person involved to
one address. There are some free designs on our Web page that you can
print off and give to your friends. Creating a design takes weeks of hard
work and, sometimes, a lot of agony. Publishing a magazine is the same
hard work and it is an extremely costly process to turn out a first rate
product. The more legitimate work is copied, the greater the danger of
losing it completely. Look at what almost happened to the music industry
with so much electronic theft. Some of the largest music and video stores
that once flourished have closed their doors forever. We surely would not
want that to happen in the needlework industry! How awful would it be to
lose talented designers and good publications for this reason? We
appreciate your integrity and ask that you help us to educate the public
on this hot topic. Then maybe Jody's closing thought will come to
fruition: "It will be more important than ever for designers to be
established as innovators, not imitators. The subject of copyrighting will
always remain an issue. With legal protection, along with consumer and
retailer support, original designers will continue to strengthen and
prosper."
It is so difficult to have to say goodbye to friends. In January we
lost three dear friends and strong supporters. Paul Hill was a talented
stitcher who created many pieces including the the prize-winning stitchery
of an ostrich. Genny Morrow was a popular teacher and designer who created
the front cover of our July/August 2000 issue. Roger Rittmiller was Jean
Hilton's husband and trusted help-mate. They will be sorely missed.
Joyce Lukomski
|
