For the Stitcher
What You’re Purchasing
When you purchase a digital needlepoint chart, you are buying a license for personal use, not ownership of the design itself.
The designer retains ownership of the artwork, while the buyer receives permission to use the chart within certain limits.
What Copyright Law Covers
Under U.S. copyright law, the copyright holder controls the reproduction and distribution of the work (17 U.S.C. §106).
Copyright law is intended to prevent unauthorized copying, resale, or mass distribution.
NOT to control reasonable personal-use decisions.
What “Personal Use” Generally Allows
For personal use, this generally includes:
- Stitching the design for yourself
- Printing the chart for your own reference
- Using a third-party printing service to print the chart for your personal use, as long as the file is not shared, resold, or mass distributed
Producing a single copy for personal use is different from reproducing or selling the design.
Seller Terms vs. Copyright Laws and Accessibility & Choice
Some sellers include additional language in their listings or files that limits how a chart may be printed or used, such as prohibiting third-party printing or requiring customers to use the seller exclusively for printing or painting services.
It’s important to understand the difference:
- Copyright law (17 U.S.C. §106) governs reproduction, resale, and distribution of a work.
- Seller license terms are shop-created policies that describe how a seller prefers their product to be used.
Seller terms:
- Are not the same as copyright law
- Are not automatically enforceable simply because they are stated
- Cannot override consumer rights or accessibility considerations
Why this matters:
- Some stitchers cannot paint or print charts themselves due to skill level, equipment access, disability, or physical limitations
- Using a third-party service for personal accessibility is different from reproducing or selling a design
- Restricting personal-use printing can limit reasonable consumer choice and accessibility
Understanding the distinction between copyright law and seller-imposed terms helps stitchers make informed, respectful decisions.
For Designers: Protecting Your Work Without Overreach
Copyright vs. Shop Policies
As a designer, your needlepoint charts are protected under U.S. copyright law
(17 U.S.C. §106), which grants you exclusive rights over reproduction, distribution, and resale of your work.
This protection already covers:
- Unauthorized copying or redistribution
- Resale of digital files
- Commercial exploitation without permission
Copyright law does not require customers to personally perform every step of use (such as printing or painting), nor does it prohibit reasonable personal-use accessibility choices.
What Seller License Terms Can and Can’t Do
Seller license terms are shop-created usage guidelines. They can:
- Clarify personal vs. commercial use
- Set boundaries on resale or redistribution
- Explain how you prefer your work to be handled
However, seller terms:
- Are separate from copyright law
- Are not automatically enforceable simply because they are stated
- Should not attempt to override consumer rights or accessibility needs
Terms that mandate exclusive use of a designer’s printing or painting services do not stem from copyright law. These restrictions reflect a seller’s business model choice, rather than a legal requirement tied to intellectual property protection.
Accessibility & Customer Trust
Not all stitchers can paint or print charts themselves due to:
- Disability or physical limitations
- Lack of equipment or technical skill
- Geographic or logistical constraints
U.S. law recognizes the importance of reasonable access to goods and services, including accommodations related to disability.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related accessibility principles, businesses may not impose policies that unnecessarily restrict access to otherwise lawful use when reasonable alternatives exist
(42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.).
Using a third-party printing service to produce a single copy for personal use can be a reasonable accessibility accommodation and is distinct from reproduction, resale, or commercial distribution under copyright law
(17 U.S.C. §106).
When restrictions are not contractually required, allowing reasonable personal-use printing choices helps keep needlepoint accessible while still protecting your intellectual property.
Helpful Practices for Designers
Clear, balanced terms benefit everyone:
- Use plain language to explain what is and isn’t allowed
- Distinguish between copyright protection and contractual obligations
- Focus restrictions on distribution and resale, not personal accessibility
- Offer optional services (such as painting or printing) without requiring exclusivity when possible
Thoughtful, transparent policies protect your work and strengthen trust within the stitching community.
Important Exception: Licensed & Contract-Based Arrangements
Some designers operate under legitimate contractual agreements, including:
- Working within a design collective
- Licensing artwork to a primary designer or brand
- Selling exclusively through a company due to signed contracts
In these cases:
- Usage restrictions may be contractually required
- Printing or painting may need to be handled only by authorized parties
- Customers may not have the same printing options as with independently sold charts
These limitations arise from private legal agreements, not from copyright law itself.
If you are a designer operating under a collective, license, or contract and have specific restrictions that must be honored, we ask that you contact us directly so we can understand and respect those arrangements.
Clear communication helps ensure that:
- Contractual obligations are upheld
- Customers receive accurate information
- All parties are treated fairly and transparently
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My Commitment to the Needlepoint Community and Accessibility
I deeply support small businesses, independent artists, and the needlepoint community as a whole. I respect the creative process, the time designers invest in their work, and the importance of protecting intellectual property. Designs printed through my services are never resold, mass distributed, or used commercially, and customers are required to complete intake forms confirming personal use only.
I also believe strongly in accessibility within the needlepoint hobby and community. Accessibility is not about undercutting artists or bypassing their work. It is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, physical ability, disability, access to equipment, or personal circumstance, has an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy needlepoint.
I recognize that I am not the only printing company serving this space, and that many stitchers rely on third party services for accessibility, support, or logistical reasons. My goal is not to replace artists’ services, but to support both creators and stitchers through clear, accurate education and ethical business practices.
I also believe that customers should not feel scared, intimidated, or worried for engaging in lawful personal use services, and that small businesses do not deserve threatening or entitlement driven messages. Respectful communication matters. Education should never come through fear, and questions should never be met with hostility.
This information is shared in response to numerous customer inquiries and communications I have received. Rather than addressing confusion individually or reactively, I chose to provide transparent, educational information so that artists, stitchers, and service providers can better understand the distinctions between copyright law, seller policies, and personal use printing.
I believe education, accessibility, and mutual respect are essential to a healthy, inclusive needlepoint community.
If you have any further questions or concerns, you can reach me by email at thestitchbyb@gmail.com.