Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Copyright for Patterns

I would like to purchase a sewing pattern, make the item based on the

pattern, and sell the item for profit. If the pattern is copyrighted,

is it legal to do this? If it is not legal, what if I change part of the pattern, would it still be illegal?

I called the US Copyright office and asked the same question, the lady told me that clothes, in general, cannot be copyrighted. She said that in the case of a purse (what I make), which is technically not clothing, unless it is considered a piece of art or has some unique thing about it that would make it different than a normal purse, it can be remade and sold for profit (like clothes). She did say that the pattern itself cannot be reprinted and sold for profit.

Is this true?


Asked on 4/27/07, 7:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Johm Smith tom's

Re: Copyright for Patterns

Getting input from the USPTO and here will not protect you if you set this up and get sued. What will protect you is getting a legal opinion about your plan and advice on how to go about it safely. Feel free to contact me about this.

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Answered on 4/27/07, 7:43 pm


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