Copyrights, Patents, & Trademarks for Selling at Craft Shows

Copyrights, are common concerns for craftspeople. Ifcopyright protects the form of expression rather
you'vethan the
invented a unique product, you will more than likelysubject matter of the writing. For example, a
want todescription of a
protect it from others who can create knock-offsmachine could be copyrighted, but this would only
of your craftprevent others
show gem at cheaper prices. Although it may befrom copying the description; it would not prevent
flattering toothers from
have created a craft item others want to duplicate,writing a description of their own or from making
it can alsoand using the
be a nightmare to see your distinctive creation onmachine. Copyrights are registered by the Copyright
the HomeOffice of
Shopping Network! The United States Patent andthe Library of Congress." ( people think of
Trademarkcopyrights for books or music and not
Organization Web site ( is a good place to learncreative arts like paintings or crafts, but a copyright
the differences between trademarks and patentscan
and to learn whatprotect all forms of creative expression and visual
is best for your situation. For more information andarts. Visual
to applyarts are defined as original pictorial, graphic and
for a copyright go to attorneys may be costly,sculptural
some offer free 30-minuteworks, which include two-dimensional and
consultations, so you may be able to find one whothree-dimensional works
can tell youof fine, graphic and applied art. Some examples
what's the best protection for your craft showare:Artificial flowers and plants Artwork applied to
product. If youclothing or to
find the costs are prohibitive for you to secure aother useful articles Collages Dolls, toys Drawings,
trademark,paintings,
patent or whatever you find you need, you'll justmurals Enamel works Greeting cards, postcards,
have to takestationery
your chances without one. Again, check with otherJewelry designs Mosaics Needlework and craft kits
craftersOriginal
through shows and forums, as well as your craftprints, such as engravings, etchings, serigraphs, silk
organizations toscreen
find out what they've done to protect their crafts.prints, woodblock prints Patterns for sewing,
Those whoknitting, crochet,
have come before you can ease your way so youneedlework Reproductions, such as lithographs,
don't have tocollotypes
reinvent the wheel.Your Copyright"A copyright is aSculpture, such as carvings, ceramics, figurines,
form of protection provided to the authors ofmolds, relief
'original works of authorship' including literary,sculptures Stained glass designs Stencils, cut-outs
dramatic,Weaving
musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works,designs, lace designs, tapestriesA copyright gives
boththe creator of the product exclusive rights to
published and unpublished. The 1976 Copyright Actproduce, sell and distribute the item. When your
generallywork is
gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right tocreated, it is automatically copyrighted, however, for
reproduceoptimum
the copyrighted work, to prepare derivative works,protection, it's best to apply for a copyright. When
to distributeobtained,
copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work, toyou can add the copyright symbol (c) on all your
perform thematerials.Copyright your designs, so you have legal
copyrighted work publicly, or to display theproof in case someone
copyrighted workcopies your work.
publicly. This includes your craft show products.The