Tidbits-Patents and Machine Embroidery!!

Interesting topic indeed and I’m sure many may be wondering why I’m writing about it. Read on….. Patents are great creations and I fully respect original works to be certified to the original creator. However, in machine embroidery, I cringe everytime I come across someone who patents a technique. What is machine embroidery…a simple combination of hand mimicked stitches which a machine can read.  In the world of machine embroidery, a handful of people have patented certain techniques and I fully respect their wish to do such, even though I do not believe in patenting as literally everything that I have seen so far is a derivative work and not original. Well, except for Fuwari embroidery which although an original technique is used in carpet making throughout the Indian Sub-Continent. 

I arrived home this evening to several interesting emails. It so happens that on our wonderful wide web, the day after the release of “Lefkara Lace Crystals”, I was the topic of conversation in committing an infringement of a Patent: Hardanger via Machine Embroidery. Sort of reminds me of a time not so long ago when a well known digitizer publicly announced that I had committed a similar offence. My apologies to anyone thinking that I am publicly committing an offence, I can assure everyone that I am not.

It was not so long ago…perhaps two years ago, that I wrote on my blog page that everything I create is researched and analysed for originality. I respect everyone and expect the same. ”Lefkara Lace Crystals” collection is nothing more than freestanding lace and cutwork techniques combined together ingeniously to recreate a form of Hardanger. With that said, I hope to curtail rumors and hope to rest this topic.

As far as patents in machine embroidery, I believe there are no original ideas, everything is a derivative form. To patent is to prevent creativity and furtherance of imagination in this craft.  What I can think of as an original method, another can think as well. Enough said.