[Woodcarver] A poor copy that is original...

[Bill Judt]

Ivan:

Thank you for sharing your experience. You have a way with words and a  
gift of kindness.

I don't think there is a carver around who has not considered the  
possibility of copyright infringement for some reason or another.

My fears of being sued ended when I started using totally original  
resources for all my carvings. By this I mean photos that came from my  
camera, drawings that came from my hand. I was simply so frustrated  
with using the photos and resources of others with the constant worry  
and nagging conscience that accompanies it. Even if copyright  
infringement was not an issue in a particular design, finding a  
suitable carving/photo resource in the library or on the internet was  
so frustrating, time consuming and unprofitable that it was easier to  
take the time to take my own photos and draw my own patterns.

I might sound like a broken record, but allow me to repeat a previous  
posting or two with the following:
Admittedly, not everyone can learn to draw, but those with enough  
aptitude would do well to extend their drawing skills so they depend  
less on the work of others.
Digital photography is one of the best tools for those who wish to  
begin creating their own patterns. Digital photos (enlarged on a color  
photocopier) coupled with a light table (even a window) allow you can  
trace most anything and end up with an accurate line drawing. From  
there you can compose your carving pattern.

I train my students likewise to use all original resources in their  
relief carving. So they bring photos and other resources into the  
studio which we then use to build an original design. If you wish to  
see some of the results, go to:
http://wwwoodcarver.com/StudentCarvings/index.html

Of course, if you do not intend to SELL your carvings, the issue of  
copyright infringement fades away. But even if that is the case, a  
poor carving that is original is still better than a great carving  
that is a copy.

Blessings and Peace,

Bill

Bill Judt
46 Harvard Crescent,
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
S7H3R1
bjudt at sasktel.net

Apologies, guys, but to carvers venturing into selling, this thread  
can be very important.

Years ago, had I been privy to the thread that just took place, I  
might have been saved some grief and embarrassment.  Unfortunately, I  
was not given such a "heads up" on copyrights and thus we used some  
pictures in a cut and paste catalog that we just assumed were OK to  
use.  They weren't.  We got sued.

So, whenever someone talks of going into carving on a commercial  
level, I urge them to get acquainted with the copyright laws.   
Lawsuits may happen rarely, but they DO happen.  Holders of copyrights  
have the right to protect their property, and so anyone who sells  
creations that are based on other people's materials should understand  
that it could have ramifications.

Back then, had we been more aware of copyright law we could have  
avoided some grief and ill will.   Thus, whenever I can, I  encourage  
anyone who wants to sell to become informed to avoid those types of  
problems.

My advice comes from "been there!"

Ivan Whillock Studio
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