Using patterns for Etsy products?

I am confused about this whole issue.  I sell bags using commercial patterns, and on the pattern it does say that you're allowed to make them for commercial purposes.  The ones I use, anyway.  However, I do believe that everyone has their own interpretation......the fabric choices you  use makes it your own, right?  I mean, the style of whatever you're making is the same, but it's the fabric choices that 'make it' so to speak, so i don't know why some pattern companies don't allow you to use it.  Besides, I've had cases where someone has seen my bag and chosen to make it themselves, so they go out and buy their own pattern.....so I'm thinking it's actually promoting sales for the pattern maker in some instances.  That's my two cents, anyway.

Amy Butler does not allow you to sell sewn versions of her patterns on ETSY or other places. Many pattern designers do not, but SOME DO!

Here are some that DO:
Heather Bailey - She has "limited free licenses" - I think you can sell smething like 10 versions of each/any of her patterns per year. She Makes this cute Happy Stacker baby toy, she has a purse design, cute fruit pincushions and sexy halter-top apron pattern that I am dying to try....

Make It Easy - They have the CUTEST little bag called the Humbug Bag - its a little asymetrical zippered purse in a variety of sizes... adorable! I think she has a Free License of 24 per year. MIE patterns are sold at www.quiltwoman.com. I swear I made 10 of those last Christmas. Everyone loved them.

Sew Liberated - for a modest annual fee you can make her designs... she has an adorable apron - the Emmiline apron which is VERY popular on ETSY. She also has a retro mom/daughter apron called Lola, a reading pillow, a messenger bag and a baby carrier. here is her info on her cottage industry program - http://www.sewliberated.com/cottage.html
 
and, if I can throw in a little self promotion, you can sew MY patterns (www.sewfun.com) for sale on ETSY too. Right now I have a Puzzle Ball baby toy which is available also on Sew Mama Sew: http://www.sewmamasew.com/ccp0-prodshow/PTSFBBB.html, and I have a Diaper Clutch pattern comming out soon. Diaper Clutches are hugely popular of ETSY... I like mine becuase it looks like a real purse. Check it out on Aug 1.

There may be other pattern designers that allow sale of thier work, check thier website FAQs or email them. Most will print something on the pattern which gives permission (or not).

Best of luck in your crafting ventures!
jen

I think that there is some confusion as to what the design piracy act is protecting. It is to prevent people from poaching designs from designers not the pattern makers. If anything the new law would affect pattern makers the most because it means that the pattern makers could not make patterns of the latest fashions. The design not the pattern in what is being copyrighted and it is aimed at stopping people from coping the pattern designs of competitors. So if you made a dress very similar to a dress made up by a top designer you would be liable because you stole the design, but if you bought a pattern from a company then the company would also be liable( chances are that their liability would be greater than yours).

It seems that the law is aimed at pattern companies and discount clothing providers that "steal" fashion ideas from designers, therefore reducing the designer's customer base.
 

I know this is an old thread, but I just joined and wanted to clarify some things.
It seems that most of the patterns that people talked about in this thread are small designers. Does all of this apply to the big commercial patterns too?