Friday, February 17, 2012

Stolen Patterns

Hello Everyone from Rainy Indiana

I regret that family emergencies have taken "forever" it seems to work themselves out.  And just when I think it's safe to take my focus away from family and back to my passion, which of course is creating my patterns, then another emergency arises. 

I do so want to thank all of you who have been loyal followers of Lillie Mae's Crafts.  So many of you have written to express your gratitude for the free patterns....which definitely puts a smile on my face.  It is all of you that make it all worthwhile.

And it is those same loyal readers who were kind enough to alert me to the 2 stores on E-Bay who were selling my patterns.  As far as I'm concerned this is the same as stealing.  I have taken the steps I deem necessary and hopefully this will be resolved shortly.  Those 2 stores had other patterns for sale which unfortunately I have to assume are probably stolen from another designer.  For those of you reading this, if any of you are pattern designers yourself, I would be on the lookout for your patterns being sold on E-Bay also.

Regrettably I have to assume that there are probably more stores on E-Bay that have my stolen patterns for sale.  I am seriously considering taking my store down.  I love designing patterns though and actually have a few new patterns that I still haven't listed.  I have considered creating a store where a "membership" is required before anyone is allowed to download any patterns.  This at least would give me names of anyone downloading my patterns and perhaps a little more protection in that area.  I'm not even sure how that is done.

What I do know is that I'm so very disappointed...and very hurt.  

If anyone else has any suggestions on how to protect my patterns, please drop me a note.  And...if anyone else sees my patterns for sale somewhere else....please let me know.

NOTE:  If I do find anyone else selling my patterns on E-Bay, I will not give them the chance of taking them down before I take other measures as I have before.  I'm really tired of trying to be the "nice guy."  They certainly know that these are NOT their patterns...they know it's stealing.  The next person I find that has stolen my patterns and listed them for sale on E-Bay...I'll email or call E-Bay right away to let them know that this particular person has stolen merchandise for sale.

14 comments:

  1. That really stinks! I hate hearing about things like this, it makes it hard on the designer and those like me who love the freebies.

    Hopefully you'll find a way to keep this from happening.

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  2. Good to hear from you again! I would hate to see your free patterns be taken away. I appreciate and enjoy them so much and always put you as the designer whenever I make something to sell (which I haven't done in over a year). Unfortunately, you aren't the only designer having this problem. Thank you so much for sharing your patterns. Take Care and God Bless! Donna

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  3. I am so sorry there are people out there always taking credit for others long hard work. I love your patterns ad get them for free and would hate for you to stop but I do understand if you decide too !!!!

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  4. Oh no, I'm so sorry that's happened to you. What a terrible thing to do. Some people are just horrible. When I first took up crafting again, I didn't know about blog land and independent designers and stuff and I bought a knitting pattern from ebay. A few months later I came across the pattern as a FREE download at Lion Brand. These people should be shot.

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  5. Hi, I am sorry to hear that, I notice a lot of patterns are being sold "illegally" My sister designs patterns and hers are there all the time and being sold by someone else. I love your patterns and have enjoyed mine. Do what you have to do to protect them.

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  6. Sorry that someone is using your patterns to sell
    as their own. I think that it is a shame that
    those folks cannot come up with their own ideas.
    Seems like they just want to make a quick buck.
    I have seen that it is happening to alot of others
    too. Those people are spoiling all the fun for
    us to get to make things for ourselves with the
    free patterns that are offered on blogs. Soon
    we won't have any patterns to use if this keeps up.
    Hope you can get some answers on how to stop this.
    Tamera
    Country at heart

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  7. The only things I can think of for the patterns are to make sure your website URL is on all pictures and every page of your PDF patterns, if they aren't already. I can't find a link to your shop anywhere here. People do stupid and rude stuff. :( Hopefully Ebay will help you. I'm not a fan of Ebay, I don't even have an account. Many years ago (over 5 now) I used it, but I had two sellers never send me the stuff I paid for, so the bad apples ruined it for me.

    You can do a free or paid membership. You will need to keep good track of that. I used to do free membership for an old graphics site, I didn't have hundreds of people as members so it was easy to maintain. If you do paid membership, then I'd suggest a yearly fee. And if you do free membership, maybe require that people reapply every year or every 6 months to keep good track of the people using your patterns. If you do a membership then you'll need to write out a thorough terms of use that members agree to so that anyone joining has *no* excuse to misuse your patterns.

    As for setting up a member area, I don't know what you are familiar with or what you can use. On my website I have access to cpanel and can password protect a folder. Then I can assign as many people their own username and password or use a universal username and password for everyone that I would change monthly or every couple of months or longer.

    It's dinner time so I have to run. If I can help in any way, please let me know. :)

    Prim blessings,
    Jessica

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  8. It is so sad that people steal from others and call it their own. I have been copied myself, some people think they can buy your pattern, make a small change and it is theres, ugh. I haven't been selling on ebay for while, not sure who is selling other's patterns, but would love to take a look.

    Debbie

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  9. Some people will do anything for a buck. It is so sad when this happens. I just found your site tonight and have already sent you a thank you email.

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  10. I'm from Brazil and I love to find your free patterns in the internet. All childrens that will receiving this dolls are thankful for your kindness and love. That's is more important than the people that need steal to make money. You make happiness and love.

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  11. I am new to your site and appreciate your generosity so much!! Your patterns are adorable and I love making dolls to decorate for the different holidays! I am so sorry to hear of your pattern theft! Hopefully you can find who is stealing them and put an end to it. Shame on the person or persons doing this!
    Thank you so much for your great patterns!
    Pam
    pamdanner1973@gmail.com

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  12. I want to say I have already made two of your Annie dolls and I love them. I was so frustrated that these dolls in craft stores range anywhere from $20-$40 and I know they were not hand made, so I found the pattern and decided to make them myslef. I am not a sewer at all, but I was able to hand sew them and they were absolutely adorable. Thanks!!! To all of those who feel they cant, just try! I probably had no more than $8 in both of them.

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  13. Hi Brenda,

    Gosh it is amazing how bad people can be, something similar happened to me, I have freebies on my site and tutorials, someone used a tutorial and copied the design exactly, they sent the gift to a blogger who posted it on her site, she had led her friend to believe that she had designed it herself. I posted a comment on the blog and sent her to the exact tutorial!
    This has happened quite a few times and it is upsetting.

    I looooove your site by the way, your patterns are awesome!

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  14. Wow I am so sorry to hear this happend to you! I just ran accross all your free patterns today and couldnt believe I found somone so creative,talented and and generous giving me the oppurtunity to have these amazing patterns for free! So to see someone taking advantage of this and being greedy is just downright wrong! So sorry to hear this but remember karma is not something I would want to mess with! Good luck and thank you so much for sharing your talents with me! Cant wait to start making stuff for my home!

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