Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making

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Topics: Marketing, Copyrights

Q.
How do you get your designs copyrighted? When I submitted a design of mine, the copyright office said it was not original enough, it used readily available components. Isn't that what your designs do, since all the components in the designs are for sale in your catalogs? Did I submit my design to the wrong place? Please help!
- Jane
A.
Copyrights apply to any work of expression as soon as you draw, write or make your creation. You can register your designs with the U.S. Copyright Offices (http://www.copyright.gov/). You cannot copyright beading techniques like "right-angle weave" or "peyote stich" or certain items labeled as "useful articles" such as pants, but you can copyright the artwork printed on the pants. Contact a copyright attorney for specific questions pertaining to your designs.

- Kristal Wick, Designer, Author and Jewelry-Making Expert

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