copyright ?

Hi

I read Steve's post about creative woodturning software, sorry Steve can't help but in your right up you said about copying others work. That got me thinking, If an item anyone wishes to copy or make their version of & said item had a copyright against it, then same said item turned up in a book or mag with a 'HOW TOO' article does that copyright still stand ?

Thanks David

It's an interesting question. Are actual turnings copyrighted to the people who turned them? I don't know, but your question made me think about paintings. I often see people, who I take to be artists, sitting in art galleries making sketches etc from the paintings hanging there. Are they infringing copyright because they are making copies?

Of course, the copies won't be identical to the originals (if they are, I believe its called 'forgery', and is frowned upon), and this applies to woodturning even more so, since no two pieces of timber will ever be identical even if the shape were accurately reproduced.

Is it the design which is copyright, rather than the actual finished turning? If so, presumably the copy would have to imitate the shape exactly before copyright was infringed? As an author of 'how to' articles myself, I consider that publishing an article (usually complete with photographs) showing how to make a particular item is tantamount to agreeing that anybody else can feel free to make a copy, i.e. copyright has been waived.  If not, what would be the purpose or usefulness of such an article?

Is there a woodturning lawyer out there who could give us some definitive answers?

Bob

F&C magazine often publish plans and "how tos" The plans however are clearly marked copyright and state that plans are for the private use only and that items built using the plans must not be for resale.

Cheers Mike  

Lots more info on the hows and whys of design copyright here.

http://www.acid.uk.com/

Cheers Mike