While doing a search, here at LumberJocks, for plans for a Secretary Desk I came upon Paul’s Forum ‘Intellectual Property? Woodworking Plans and Selling’. After a lot of discussion, most everyone thought it best if we did not use someone else plans to make projects to sell unless by permission. My question is: What would be the guidelines for us, here at LumberJocks, to use another LumberJocks plans (reguardless of where those plans came from) to make a project for their own use and not to sell?
-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon
Hell they need to patent it if they value it. I could care less if some one took any of my non patented ideas and ran with them and made millions more power to them. I was taught to share as a kid lol – just my two cents HAP E. HANSON
It does not matter unless the item you are making is patened ! If a plan is copyrighted then you cannot copy and sell the plan, BUT you can make the item and sell all you want. Asking permission is just a courtesy, Like Doc said you have permission to copy all my projects.
If I ever make anything anyone wants to copy, permission is hereby granted. If I don’t want you to copy a specific project I’ll be sure to say that in the post.
the plans I had bought was very clear on how I could use them. One set of plans said I could make the item and sell no more the 25 of the items ( 25 may be wrong number, but close). After that I would be required to buy another set of plans. It also said I was not to copy the plans. On the plans it was written that they were not to be copied. I would not infringe on any ones copyrigt’s, big bussiness has a box full of lawyers waiting for someone to open the door on it. Good luck and be carefull not to infringe. But if you only used the item to get an ideal of what you want to make then go for it. The small sofa table I made was from just looking at a picture, I came up with my own sizes of what I wanted. So …... I dont feel I infringed on anyones copyrights.
Isn’t suggesting that something is illegal technically legal advice? OK, sorry, I had to…
To the OP,
I don’t think there is anything to worry about when building something from plans and offering it for sale unless it is explicitly defined that you can only make x number for sale per plan purchase or if it prohibits you from selling them altogether. Even so, with plans as cheap as they are, if you plan to mass produce something, I’m sure $10.00 divided by 25 items ($0.40 per item) isn’t that big of a hit on profit margin. And I’m sure whoever sells the plan for whatever item you’re making would be happy to sell 10 or more copies of a plan to an individual.
-- Looking for free wood working plans? Visit us at www.AwlFreePlans.com
Most retail bought (i.e meisel wood, woodcraft, wood magazine, etc) have a set amount of the finished product that you can sell. And most ofthose plans are copyrighted. I have found though that if you take the basic design from a plan and tweak it in some way it is then your idea or plan. Don’t quote me on that though.
Just my 2 pennies worth.
-- www.carvingandturningsbyrick.com, Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI
I think I should rephrase my question. Let’s say I brought a woodworking plan to make a Secretary Desk, and posted the finished desk here at LumberJocks and then was asked for a copy of those plans. Would I be in the wrong posting those plans here at LubberJocks? Or should I say that they should buy their own plans? Or what?
-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon
I think it would depend upon what was stated on the plans, but most published documents do not allow the reproduction of the plans in any format (paper, photograph or electronic) without the consent of the publisher. They also normally forbid the selling, lending or giving away of the plans to anybody else. (the purchaser has bought the permission to use the plans only)
So I would have to say the people should buy the plans themselves. If it was a publication on the web, then you should be OK in giving the link to where you found the information.
As for changing one or two dimensions on a plan, that does not mean you have redesigned it enough to qualify as an original, it is just a minor modification – give the originator the credit for the design and you should not have a problem with these changes.
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
Ok Ron I see what you mean now – Yeah ditto what Tony said since he didn’t copyright what he just said lol. Thanks for the interesting thread. Plus I could’t get in to law school my eyes weren’t brown…
Dont know about the states but in Australia you can change the design 10% and its yours. It happens all the time in the furniture trade, just dont get your nose out of joint when it happens to you.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...
8788
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.
219
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...
28
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...
61
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.
78
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...
1528
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...
3545
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...
15759
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...
2033
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...
494
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...
2837
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...
808
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...
901
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...
766
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...
2738
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...
1547
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...
6154
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.
