Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

As some of you know, I have designed craft furniture for the home and office.  Due to Pkg and Shpg issues and `lack` of funds to invest in pkg materials I`ve had to change my plan to focus on my local community, which would eliminate pkg material/boxes and damages due to shipping.  I`ve had to inform some of my new prospects (out of state) that I am no longer able to ship.  I have people say how sorry they are and wish there was a way they could receive some of my units... in one of the responses, I had someone ask,

"Can you copyright the plans of the units and sell them to people all over the world?"  They can in turn find a shop to make the pieces for them...

It sounds to easy to be true... and nothing is EVER easy  But, people do purchase house plans, so why not these?  If this is possible, and if you feel this is a great idea,  WHERE in the world do I even begin to attempt to have this done? and what kind of $$ do you think I`ll have to front?

I`m really looking forward to the responses I get from this thread.... I was considering to copy and paste this thread on another topic line, but I wasn`t sure which???

Thanks Marcy

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Marcy Shuler
www.ScrapbookSpaceStation.com
Scrapbook Furniture and Organizers

Hi Marcy,

Why not?  The plans - on paper - are copyrighted.  You can register it for MORE security.  However, unless you are willing to fight any violations, then it`s probably not worth it to register the copyright.

The danger is that others will photo copy the plans and send them all over the internet.  That happened with Paper Piecing patterns in the industry.  People just scanned them and emailed them to other scrappers.  Most people don`t have a clue (or care about) violating copyrights. 

It`s an interesting idea (selling the plans).  I understand your restraint, though, on sending the furniture all over.  Perhaps the plans are a better idea.

Have you thought about contacting a modular furniture company like Sauder?  They have some craft furniture.  Maybe they would be interested in discussing your plans with you and perhaps manufacturing the units.

~Kim

 

Kim,

Thanks for your input... I look forward to reading more ;-)

and to answer your question about contacting sauder, no... have not.  I would not even know where to begin.  I`m sure, Sauder mfr all their furniture overseas.  If they don`t I would be shocked! If anyone know how to try to contact a company like Sauder please let me know...

Thanks Marcy

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Marcy Shuler
www.ScrapbookSpaceStation.com
Scrapbook Furniture and Organizers

Um, I assembled a shelfing item from Ikea at my old job one day. It was a really well designed item, but I would have used real wood for a longer lasting piece. So, I kept the building instruction manual to build it again with my own materials.

Who would know?

Could it happen to you?

There are risks in everything huh? I know my comment wasn`t much help. But there it is.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Yes, I understand that people would copy anyway... but still, people do copyright plans and sell them... like house plans... Still thinking on this

Thanks

Marcy

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Marcy Shuler
www.ScrapbookSpaceStation.com
Scrapbook Furniture and Organizers

I C.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

It looks like Sauder makes their furntiture in the US.  Here`s a link: http://sauder.com/aboutsauder/pressroom_factsheet.asp

Just email them or pick up the phone and call and ask who you would need to speak to about your craft furniture plans and then do your elevator pitch  if you get to the right person. 

If they say, "no thanks", you`ll be right back where you started from - no worse for the wear.

~Kim

 

I`d like to produce a product using a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.  Does anyone know if this material is public domain?  Thanks in advance.

The MLK Jr. estate is managed from Atlanta, and many of his works are in fact are under copyright protection. I`d be careful, or at least consult an attorney. They are very protective of his intellectual property, which is why you`ve never seen a `I have a dream` mattress...

You are free to quote to your hearts content. Quoting is OK you can not copy whole chapters from somebody else`s works, but you can quote under the "fair use" doctrine. To read about it just follow this link.