Purchased stencils and copyright

'Is it legal', 'can I do this' type questions and discussions.
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MrsTwosheds
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Purchased stencils and copyright

Post by MrsTwosheds »

Hello All

I'm afraid I am about to undertake a new craft project and have, as always seems to be the way, run aground on a copyright issue (sorry).

I am making carnival costumes and will be (I hope) using some splendid stencils to jazz them up a bit. The stencils were bought ready cut in a 'designer' packet (Jocasta Innes & Stewart Walton) and subsequently reproduced in one of their collections in book form, in which the reader was encouraged to use the templates provided, and adjust the size of the stencils to suit the project. So far so good - I want to blow them up to a substantial size and I am assuming (perhaps wrongly?) that this would be OK, as I would be using them as permitted (and even suggested).

However, I have a couple of questions if I may, please? Is the fact that they are for public consumption at a local carnival an issue? The items won't be for sale (and will probably only be worn under duress, I'm afraid to say!) but they aren't being used for interior design, which was their original purpose.

Also, I'd like to add a few motifs which aren't included in the package, so I'd need to make up a few simple designs to stencil alongside those as above to fit our theme. I intended making them in a vaguely similar style (but without using the Innes/Walton template), so that they aren't too obvious and are in keeping with the rest of the artwork. Am I allowed to do that? Is this a Very Bad Thing?

Sorry as always for being a pain. Very many thanks in anticipation.

Best regards

Sally
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AndyJ
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Post by AndyJ »

Hi Sally,

No need to apologise. If no-one asked any questions there wouldn't be much point in the forum!

I think you will be fine using the stencils in the way you outline (excuse the pun), and also with adding your own details. The stencils have clearly been sold with the intention that they may be used, but I don't think that means they are limited just to interior design usage. Blowing them up also does change things, legally speaking, because you have the underlying permission to use the designs anyway. The same applies to using them in the context of carnival costumes. The only thing I think you cannot do is to make copies of the actual Innes & Walton stencils and sell them, which of course is not what you intend to do.

Good luck with your new project.
Advice or comment provided here is not and does not purport to be legal advice as defined by s.12 of Legal Services Act 2007
MrsTwosheds
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Post by MrsTwosheds »

Hi Andy

Oh, that's excellent news, thank you - I will be able to stencil away to my heart's content now!

As always, very many thanks for your speedy and knowledgeable response.

Best regards

Sally
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