Characters from movies and books

Hi everyone
I’m still pretty new to crocheting and am trying my hand at making something entirely on my own for the first time—that is, without any pattern.
My child recently came home from preschool and said, “I want a Gruffalo, too!!!!”
Until then, I didn’t even know what a Gruffalo was. So I started searching online, but couldn’t find a pattern. Oh my gosh, now what?! So I decided to make one myself!
Now I’m almost done, and I was thinking that there might be other kids without a Gruffalo who would definitely love to have one. But is it even allowed to publish or sell patterns for characters from movies and books if everything was completely made up on my own?

Thanks for your answers

Best regards

I once asked a similar question here, and my "fears" were confirmed: No, it is not allowed.

The copyright does not belong to you, so you are not allowed to do that. It also isn't really "completely your own idea," since the idea and the "form" in this case come from someone else.

A few brave people still dare to sell things like that, and those with the really good patterns sometimes make a killing from it, because for copyright reasons there are very few of those patterns.

If you get caught, it can also get really, really expensive, so it's not worth it.

And regarding selling: You're only allowed to do that anyway if you have a business license. Otherwise, you would only be allowed to list patterns (of characters without copyright ;)) for free.

Yes, it's a shame... But if you want to be on the safe side legally, it's better to leave it alone :)

Best regards
Tina

Hi Jasmin81,

there are already quite a few threads on this topic. These characters are generally subject to trademark protection. Therefore, it’s not permitted to publish patterns for them—whether for free or for a fee. The same applies to selling such figures. Of course, there are many users who do this anyway. However, if they get caught, they face heavy penalties.
You can, of course, try to obtain licenses from the respective trademark owners, though this is extremely unlikely—but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

You’re allowed to make these figures for personal use, of course. But I’d be cautious about posting photos. In the sewing field, for example, you’re no longer allowed to publish works made with Disney-licensed fabrics. That alone is grounds for a cease-and-desist letter. And Disney is monitoring this very closely.

There are also several reports of designers who have already received cease-and-desist letters and had to pay fines in the four-digit range. Soccer clubs are also very active in investigating these matters.

I hope you continue to enjoy your crocheting.

Best regards

Thanks for your answers.
That’s pretty much what I thought. But that’s okay. Then my little one will just have a one-of-a-kind creation ;)
Maybe someday I’ll be ready to invent a completely new creature that’s just as popular.
I’ve already read some tips here about running a business and so on. I’m already looking forward to being able to count myself among the sellers someday. But it seems like there’s still a long way to go....

Hello

I don't understand that now. I was told patterns are okay. But you're not allowed to sell the finished items, only give them away. I

I'm confused

Hi,

where did you get the idea that it’s “okay”?
Legally speaking, you’re not allowed to do that—unless, of course, you have permission.
Check out the authors’ forum; there was a really interesting post about this there recently.

Best regards
Tina

I immediately made my figures free; that's allowed, right?

Thanks, I will do that.

No, it’s not allowed—even for free.
Anything subject to copyright or trademark law is generally prohibited.

The problem is: The company that owns the rights to the character has an interest in making money off the characters. The moment a Minion fan buys your pattern or even downloads it for free, the company loses a potential customer for a toy. That’s why it’s not at all unrealistic that they’d take action against something like this if they see it.

I’m not blaming you—you’re new to this, after all, and for a long time I didn’t really believe that you weren’t allowed to do this either… But if I were you, I’d probably skip it in the future :)

Already deleted.

Thanks for the info.