Hello Everyone,
I have a question about copyrights.  I found a pattern that I really like to use (with some personal changes), and so far I haven't been able to find it anymore.  I guess it's not available.  If that is the case, would it be OK for me to sell a version of these puppets? 
And also, if I want to get started selling my own pattern, how do you go about getting it copyrighted?
Thanks for your help!
Sara

I don't see why you couldn't sell a puppet from a pattern, even if the pattern has been removed. Just double check the copy of the pattern you have to see if there's any info; and contact the puppet maker who provided it if there's contact details attached.

As for copyrighting your own pattern, there's nothing specific you have to do. You don't have to register it or anything. As soon as you make something, the copyright is yours and yours alone. However, in order to make it clear to others that they're not allowed to copy it - or whatever rights you want to keep - then you should put a copyright notice clearly on each page of the pattern. There are other things you can do as well... read this old thread:

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,2237.0.html

There's other helpful hints on this site if you do a search for 'copyright'.

I highly recommend finding your local governments' info on copyrights, how you can protect yourself and what rights you have.

Thank you!  Great help!
Sara

No worries, glad to help