Woodcarving Ethics......Copying!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I'll probably regret writing this but it's time something should be said about the practice of copying. And no....I'm not talking about buying a roughout and duplicating a piece that some other carver clearly sold the rights to or reproducing a piece from a magazine or book pattern. I'm talking about reproducing a carving that is easily recognized as the work of someone else. Since I started my blog, especially since I started posting videos, I'm seeing more and more of my individual pieces being reproduced almost exactly as I did them. Now if someone produces a piece from one of the videos I freely give on my Blog that's entirely okay with me. However, if someone reproduces a carving from a photo posted here or on there or anywhere for that matter then thats a completely different story. Each time I do a carving I burn in a little "c" on the back of the piece next to my signature that signifies "copyright". That letter, as small as it is means a lot, especially to me. It means that that piece is mine and when people see it they can recognize it as being mine and mine alone. While someone might want to do a carving similar to it they shouldn't do it exactly like the one I did. Theirs should be identifiable as being theirs not mine. People can look at their carving and say "Why that looks like one Lynn did!" That's okay! What they should not say is "That one looks exactly like one Lynn did!"

People are always wondering whether woodcarving is an art or a craft. Well if you develop your own pieces and carve them in a style thats recognizable as being yours then I guess it 's okay to call it an art. However, if you prefer to carve in the style of the majority, follow other carvers patterns, buy roughouts, or in general rely on someone else to do the hard work of developing a figure then what you're doing is no more than a craft. By my way of thinking there are way too many carvers on this forum who presently do this while they clearly posess the talent and have the experience to be doing their own work and not someone elses or in the style of someone else.

I really enjoy showing others how I do things as a lot of the things I do may be completely new and foreign to whats been done before. I want other carvers to leave the well worn paths of woodcarving for new ones to maybe experience the same fun I have when trying new or different things. But in doing that I certainly don't them to become me...there's only one of those and some say one too many!

So here's my request: While you're completely free to reproduce any of my carvings where I show you how or give your the patterns for please don't apply that clearance to my other pieces. Those are mine.

[Dougie]

Well said Lynn. I agree.
Doug

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

I'll probably regret writing this but it's time something should be said about the practice of copying. And no....I'm not talking about buying a roughout and duplicating a piece that some other carver clearly sold the rights to or reproducing a piece from a magazine or book pattern. I'm talking about reproducing a carving that is easily recognized as the work of someone else. Since I started my blog, especially since I started posting videos, I'm seeing more and more of my individual pieces being reproduced almost exactly as I did them. Now if someone produces a piece from one of the videos I freely give on my Blog that's entirely okay with me. However, if someone reproduces a carving from a photo posted here or on there or anywhere for that matter then thats a completely different story. Each time I do a carving I burn in a little "c" on the back of the piece next to my signature that signifies "copyright". That letter, as small as it is means a lot, especially to me. It means that that piece is mine and when people see it they can recognize it as being mine and mine alone. While someone might want to do a carving similar to it they shouldn't do it exactly like the one I did. Theirs should be identifiable as being theirs not mine. People can look at their carving and say "Why that looks like one Lynn did!" That's okay! What they should not say is "That one looks exactly like one Lynn did!"

People are always wondering whether woodcarving is an art or a craft. Well if you develop your own pieces and carve them in a style thats recognizable as being yours then I guess it 's okay to call it an art. However, if you prefer to carve in the style of the majority, follow other carvers patterns, buy roughouts, or in general rely on someone else to do the hard work of developing a figure then what you're doing is no more than a craft. By my way of thinking there are way too many carvers on this forum who presently do this while they clearly posess the talent and have the experience to be doing their own work and not someone elses or in the style of someone else.

I really enjoy showing others how I do things as a lot of the things I do may be completely new and foreign to whats been done before. I want other carvers to leave the well worn paths of woodcarving for new ones to maybe experience the same fun I have when trying new or different things. But in doing that I certainly don't them to become me...there's only one of those and some say one too many!

So here's my request: While you're completely free to reproduce any of my carvings where I show you how or give your the patterns for please don't apply that clearance to my other pieces. Those are mine.

Have you considered puting a copy right stamp on the piece....I'd think that since it works for books etc., it should work for carvings....may have to check with a lawyer to see if it can be done.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Dull Knife

Have you considered puting a copy right stamp on the piece....I'd think that since it works for books etc., it should work for carvings....may have to check with a lawyer to see if it can be done.

OOPS....looks like you've already done it.....I guess I should read the entire post next time, huh?

[breezly]

I totally agree with you Mike

[pallin]

It appears that some carvers are uneasy about going beyond the forms that are taught cut-by-cut in books and tutorials. Perhaps those of you giving the tutorials should leave some part of the carving (hair, hat, shoes) for the student to work out on their own. You are correct that it is only "craft" until the beginning carver gets beyond rote repetition of carving directions.

[gtech]

I must say that I agree with you and understand what you mean.

I think that the fine line that is easy to cross from copying someone else for a personal use and for a learning purpose, is to publish it as his own work.

It must be indeed a hard decision to mention this, and at the same time not want to hurt feelings.

Gilles

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Gtech....Well I certainly do not want to hurt anybody's feelings by my post which you're correct in saying that that is one of the reasons I hesitated in posting it. But just like in painting or anything for that matter, we can all pick up a brush, dip it in the color and splash it on something. The problems appear when it's splashed on in a fashion already established by someone else. We should all strive to have our work recognized as OUR work and not the work of someone else.

[mobjack68]

Excellent post Lynn....this is not just an issue with woodworkers/woodcarvers...long been an issue with writers and the latest being musicians.
I do remember the first time I saw a woodcarving that made me go "WOW!!" , I promptly went home, sketched out what I remember seeing and I carved it. Wrong?? probably...but then I carved from my drawings and if the two were to be placed side by side, there would be little comparison...justifiable??? probably not.
Any work that is created, matters not the medium, carries an implied copyright. Point of law...Some folks choose to lock it down and others choose not to care, as such...some folks give up their copyright rights.

I am of the opinion that most folks who want to carve, want to make a return on their investment and end up copying other's work, not really thinking about the copyright, and some not caring....how many of us have used the vcr or tivo to record something??? Check the laws. It is illegal!!! We do it and the film industry has turned a blind eye because of the magnitude of the infractions....and they have modified their rights to reflect..."any rebroadcast or retransmission of this event is strictly prohibited" NFL, Nascar, NHL, NBA...etc, etc...

Lynn, I have struggled with this for a long time. (I deal with copyright issues as part of my job) I have even suggested that we "give" plans, drawings, etc to WCI and have a place on this forum for folks to get free drawings for their use AND give up the original artists rights to those plans....Would that keep people from stealing your work and ideas ??, probably not, but would tossing them a bone ease it somewhat?
Education is the key. Using the music industry's solution, lawsuits with mega fines, will not solve this issue either because it is inevitably up to the copyright holder to enforce the copyright. You sell videos, have you considered adding a PSA at the front (make 'em watch your commercial to get to the good stuff...ever tried to fast forward thru the FBI warning??) to gently remind folks about copyright??

Sorry this is so long, but this issue is a tough one and it has to be up to the carving world to police our own. How can we be but so tough and still encourage newbies to put knife to wood, without showing them step by step how to create something. And once we show them how to carve something, should we then tell them to go and now be original??

I wish I had your problem...I would truly be flattered if people wanted to copy ANYTHING I had created....but then most of my carvings are in driftwood and very strange pieces of trees, and would be all but impossible to duplicate...I would still be flattered..
Lynn, is there a way to make this work with some measure of efficiency?? or has it already gotten away from us?? (proliferation of youtube/copy-paste-send email...etc) I would like to see discussion from others...thoughts??
jerry

[cb1959]

Well said Lynn. I have noticed at shows some carvings that are semular but not exact. And I have noticed in my own carvings as I get better at it I have evolve to "my" style. Some by accident I am sure and other by my direct action to add something to it of my own. Most carvers want a style of there own even though you may be carving one that looks close to what someone else has done. However there are those who even go to the point of cutting off the name on a carving and replaceing it with theres. So said, Lynn keep on with the teaching and hopefull most will move into there own carving style. We all appreciate your comments also.
Charles Wolfe