Copyright Issues When Linking on Facebook

 Hello, fellow creatives! We run a small but lovely crafting group on Facebook. As a general rule, we only post
our own patterns. But every now and then,
group members want to share links from crazypatterns. However,
we’re very unsure about the issue of copyright infringement.
That’s why we’re asking: Is it okay to link to your offers on
Facebook? And if so, how? Can they simply be shared?
Or can only the link be posted, but not the accompanying
image? Or do we even have to ask each individual seller for
permission beforehand? It would be great if you could clarify this for us.
Best regards, Anke Boeller

Hi :)

I’m not actually “from CP,” but I can reassure you:
Linking is absolutely no problem at all—it’s not prohibited. In fact, it’s actually beneficial for CP.

What you’re not allowed to do is distribute the patterns themselves—that is, the PDF file—from here (or elsewhere) within the group, regardless of whether they were purchased or downloaded for free. 

Another point you might need to keep in mind is the sharing of licensed products.
If you link to something that infringes trademark rights or similar (e.g., The Simpsons, Minions, etc.), you could get into legal trouble under certain circumstances. So it’s best to be careful ;)

But, long story short, linking is generally absolutely fine :) 

Thank you very much for your reply, but the question of image rights still remains *scratches head*
Best regards

And if you want to be absolutely sure, here’s my personal permission:

Feel free to link to my patterns (ZwergnaseBär).
The patterns themselves may only be used for their intended purpose (i.e., they may not be sold, lent, or given away to third parties, etc.)

And: thanks for asking!

Best regards, Nina

Image rights:

Of course, I retain the rights to my images, but when a link is posted, the preview image appears automatically—so no one is “infringing” on the image rights by “simply taking it and publishing it.”

Best regards

Oh, I completely overlooked the part about image rights. That’s a tricky one…
Technically, you’re only allowed to do so with the creator’s permission. I assume that if you link to the pattern, no one will say anything—after all, it’s just extra publicity for the image’s owner… But without permission, it’s always a gray area…

Personally, to be honest, I don’t care at all if someone posts pictures of my crochet projects somewhere, as long as they don’t claim they’re their own.... (Official permission hereby granted ;)) 

Thank you so much, everyone! 

You’re also welcome to link to my patterns and images (Wollness Designs); I’m happy to grant you permission to do so. I retain the rights to the images themselves, but I grant you permission to post them with a credit to me.
The only restriction is that the patterns themselves (i.e., the ZIP or PDF file) may not be shared (but that goes without saying ;-) ).

That’s so kind of you! I’m currently gathering the consents. But this copyright law in Germany is a real jungle. 

Hi, feel free to link to my patterns and images. I retain all rights.
When you share a link, the images are always included automatically. That’s exactly why the images are in my patterns—to show how great my creations turn out.

Best regards

I (Polly & Paule) also give you permission to link to my CP patterns. (All rights remain with me.)
May I also ask what kind of crochet group you run on Facebook?

I also give you permission to link to my patterns and images (MonsZa Design).
All image rights remain with me, and the patterns may not be shared further—but that should go without saying.

For anyone who wants to know: the group is called “Cool Crafts for Strong Personalities.” We’ve only got just under 7,200 members so far ;-)

Well then, I’d also like to officially give my permission to link to my pattern links, including the preview image.

Best regards, Birgit 

Hey, great! I’m in the group, too. My Facebook name is Michaela Schmidt. :-)

@aboeller,

are there also paper crafters in your group? If so, you also have my permission to link to it, including the preview image.

Best, Inna

@aboeller,

My patterns (Otterthaler_Häkelmaus) may also be linked to ... permission granted ;-)

Best wishes, Sabine

I think everyone here will give you permission—you’d have to be pretty dumb not to… lol. By the way, I’m in the group too :-)
There’s no better advertising than when someone shares our links.
In my own group, I ban links and images of licensed products. They’re deleted immediately.

Best regards, Caudia

Glad to read that! We’re nice, too! ;-)

I also think it’s very nice of you to ask… and just to make sure everything’s clear:

You hereby have my permission to link to my content as well. Copyright and image rights remain with me. Reproduction, exchange, and resale of the patterns are prohibited—but that goes without saying, of course :-)

Best regards from
Steffi

Of course, you also have my permission to link to my patterns!

Best regards
Ingrid

Hi everyone,

I’d always assumed that I had to specify where I got the patterns from when I post photos of crochet projects made from a pattern.

That’s why I always write “… based on a pattern by … (author): (link to the pattern)”

Otherwise, people might think I came up with the design for the crochet project myself. To the best of my (limited) knowledge, I thought that would be a violation of intellectual property rights.

Of course, I never publish the patterns themselves.

Learned something new again :-)

Of course, you have my permission to post links to my content as well. The image rights and copyright remain with me.

Hi Anke,

thank you so much for pointing out the Facebook group—I hadn’t heard of it yet, but I’ll check it out right away :-)

And of course, you’re welcome to post links to my patterns, including the corresponding preview images ;-)

Best regards, Stefanie

I’m also happy to give my permission. You can share links to my patterns with a preview image :) Of course, the image and copyright remain with me.
Best regards, Carola

Permission, sure :-)
But this is yet another interesting topic. I mean, the product pages all already include buttons for sharing on various social networks; as soon as I click on one of those, the image gets shared anyway—on Pinterest or Twitter, for example—and that doesn’t just apply to Facebook. It’s also stated in the terms and conditions that our photos may be used for promotional purposes on other platforms.
The patterns themselves, of course, may not be published, but that goes without saying.

Great, I’ll take a look right away! :-)

Of course, you may also link to my stuff with a preview image; everything else is as the others have already said!

The image rights and copyright, of course, belong to me!

I’d also be happy to give permission to link to my patterns ;-)!
I’ll check it out right away and join the group.

You’re also welcome to link to my patterns; I retain all rights. I think it’s great that you’re asking first. Best regards, Petra 

Of course, you also have my permission to link to the patterns. I retain the rights. And I’d also be happy to visit your group, of course.

Hi Anke,
I’m happy to give my permission for linking too - even though I’m not on Facebook yet (due to time constraints). Links are always good :-)
Kind regards,
Traudelina

Hi, you have my permission to link to my content as well.

Best regards, Andreas

I, too, give you permission to link to my patterns.

Of course — you have my permission too!

And mine, too, of course!

....I agree with the others and also give you permission to share the link.

I also grant permission for linking.