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Submitting projects/cards for contests inspired from SCS
I'm wondering if I'm "allowed" to submit cards/projects (for contests) to craft magazines, etc if I learned the technique here on SCS?
For example, let's just say I learned how to make the "sour cream containers" or the "chalkboard technique" from SCS...if my project or card incorporates these techniques, but is NOT a direct CASE or copy of anyone's submissions on here, is it ok (legally and morally) to enter my creation in contests? And if so, am I required to give credit to the SCS member who originally posted the directions for the technique I am using (ie. I learned this technique from "Beate" at SCS)?
I should mention that I do not have a specific contest/project in mind, but I would like to know for future reference. Also, I would not be entering any "innovative new technique/layout contests", but rather "themed" contests (ie. "Easter Projects Contest", and I might use the "chalkboard technique" on my submission).
I hope my question isn't dumb...I realize that we all get inspiration from this wonderful site, but I've only ever incorporated ideas for personal use...not for "profit" in the sense of potentially winning a prize...I just don't want to get into any legal trouble (or have any of the SCS members insulted or mad at me!) if I were to win any contests!
As far as casing, I think as long as you make the item in question uniquely yours in some way, then it should be fine to submit. Of course if you have a way to contact the person whose project you've cased, you should send them a PM or an e-mail and run it by them just to be on the safe side but I think 99.9% of people would be flattered you asked and would be ok with it ~ especially if you asked them first.
As far as technique, most of the techniques you have learned or will learn are not exclusive to anyone in particular. In other words, someone, somewhere has done the technique before so I think that also is fine to use a technique without naming the person you learned it from.
Again all of this is my opinion but I hope that helps in some way.
Everyone learned something somewhere. The techniques did not originate with Splitcoast...Beate and other tutorial writers take the time to learn the techniques and then write them up to share with others. On top of that, lol, SO many "techniques" aren't anything new at all, or at least the most that's new is the name...there wouldn't be anything to publish if it all had to be never seen before, lol.
As long as you aren't literally copying someone's card, brad for brad, color for color, etc., you should be comfortable. And if you don't feel as if you copied, then go for it!
Assuming that you are not 100% copying the design (e.g. same papers, same stamps etc.).......
I would consider the projects here more as templates and I would include that in my supply list if I was using it for submission purposes.
For technique based projects I wouldn't even include any reference when I'm submitting bc it's a technique that you are using and not copying the specific project.
For the most part, I don't really think anything that is posted here is 100% new and original. For example I've seen those sour cream type containers in many different places before here(hopefully this statement doesn't come across the wrong way!!) and many of the techniques demonstrated are common stamping techniques.
I'm wondering if I'm "allowed" to submit cards/projects (for contests) to craft magazines, etc if I learned the technique here on SCS?
For example, let's just say I learned how to make the "sour cream containers" or the "chalkboard technique" from SCS...if my project or card incorporates these techniques, but is NOT a direct CASE or copy of anyone's submissions on here, is it ok (legally and morally) to enter my creation in contests? And if so, am I required to give credit to the SCS member who originally posted the directions for the technique I am using (ie. I learned this technique from "Beate" at SCS)?
I should mention that I do not have a specific contest/project in mind, but I would like to know for future reference. Also, I would not be entering any "innovative new technique/layout contests", but rather "themed" contests (ie. "Easter Projects Contest", and I might use the "chalkboard technique" on my submission).
I hope my question isn't dumb...I realize that we all get inspiration from this wonderful site, but I've only ever incorporated ideas for personal use...not for "profit" in the sense of potentially winning a prize...I just don't want to get into any legal trouble (or have any of the SCS members insulted or mad at me!) if I were to win any contests!
Thanks for your time!
As long as you are not copying another's finished design, you are fine.
It is hard to claim originality for any given technique--not impossible, but very hard, due to how long so many of these techniques have been around.
Some techniques have undergone various modifications by artists, but, as long as the technique you include with your submission is indeed written in your own words, not copied verbatim (plagiarized) from another author/source, you are fine.
As an aside, I thought I'd also mention that if someone you know personally has shown you a project they've developed, it can be very disheartening to them if you turn around and submit a project of very similar likeness without the courtesy of asking how they feel about it.
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Submitting projects/cards for contests inspired from SCS
