I have just read a blog whereby the post writer has admitted to seeing an idea at a craft fair and then going home, copying it and then posting how to do it on the Internet!
Now, if the crafter had put it on Youtube or any other medium then I suppose that it goes with the territory, whether it is moral or not. However, I do not think it is fair to copy an idea and then without consent, post how to make the item on a craft blog.
What do you think?
As you know, I do the odd craft fair and I bet someone is copying my ideas somewhere, but to actually post it on a craft blog where other crafters may have probably had their work copied at some time or other are viewing the post seems to make it worse.
I do not think that it is setting a very good example. I am not a saint, but I acknowledge credit if I am using an inspiration from elsewhere and I certainly do not copy (see work inspired by Romero Britto recently) as I think it would show what a BAD crafter I would be if all I could do was copy.
I am not so naive not to realise that items I put here could be viewed by someone somewhere in the world who is copying them, although I did track down the Turkish blog that took chunks of my blog and emailed the editor about it. Tracking back your visitors enables you to monitor this. But really, we should be supporting handmade and setting an example, not contributing to the problem of copying
Use work to inspire - credit/ask permission/ produce your OWN angle on the idea - then share if you wish.
Am I just on my soapbox? I have had a good day at work so it is not that, but this particular post did niggle me a bit.
I was going to leave a comment on said blog, but hubby thought I might be on the receiving end of some backlash so I have used my own blog and not mentioned any names.
Craft fairs are a showcase for individual work, (often little or no profit is made) not for pinching ideas. The main fun is finding out how you could make it differently, using different materials etc.
Ok, time to get grumpy off said soap box, and yes I am doing another craft fair in 2012.
Take care and keep crafting.
xx