As you know by coming to my blog that I am an avid crafter and have lots of time on my hands to wander around the internet. Most of the sites I tend to visit is crafting in one way or another and even on facebook I have joined a few groups...mostly for inspiration for my beloved Cammie!!
I have noticed lots of discussions about copyright but no-one seems to mention Angel Policies....now I am beginning to think lots of people are overlooking these....now some companies just use the standard term of terms of use...and some seem to think an angel policy is the same as copyright....
So what is an angel policy?
An Angel Policy is basically a limited license that says how a rubber stamp/digital image can be used and any thing the manufacturer/artist wants to go with that license...This outlines what the crafter can and cant do with the rubber stamp/image and whether they can sale projects or not.
The next paragraph is from About.com I found it during my research on this subject and thought it couldnt be written any clearer and precise than this so I have included it here:
Some companies have a very generous Angel Policy, which allows stampers to work with the stamped images without restriction and this includes creating products for resale. Other companies offer more limited commercial use of their images, for instance limiting the number of products that can be created from a single stamp. Some companies do not have an Angel Policy – this does not mean that there is a 'free for all' when it comes to the use of their stamps – far from it! It means that their stamps are sold for personal use only and not for commercial gain.
If you want to read their full article here is the link:-
http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/opportunities/a/AngelPolicy.htm
The craft industry is evolving at a quick pace at the moment and the artists and manufacturers have to keep up, and be inovative whilst not stiffling the crafters mojo?? With the development of the machines that are getting bigger and better some crafters are for going rubberstamps and moving to digital images..therefore the term angel policy is heard less and less but be warned it is still there and still relevent to the crafting community!!
So me being me I wrote to several companies about what there angel policies mean and what I as a crafter can do...I have had only 2 replies to date one from Crafters Companion which was very friendly and helpful and their response was very fast indeed and the other company was Teddy Bo who gave me a very nice reply....the other companies (3 of them ) didnt bother to respond yet and as I sent the emails 2 days ago Im not very impressed with them, but I wont name and shame them here because Im not here to do that....
So here is one of the Angel Policies that I have been reading this week...
Crafters Companion:...You Can::Use Crafters Companion stamps for creating personal and resaleable items as long as each item is Hand Stamped (no mechanical or Computerised reproduction in any form is allowed)
Items sold Must give credit to Crafters Companion on the back of the creation, and the original licensor where applicable
YOU CAN'T....
Relable or seperate and resell stamp designs
Use stamp designs as Company logos or trademarks
Promote or sell items made using the rubber stamps online
Reading this Angel policy it all seems pretty clear but the last sentance in the you cants column left me a little confused as a blogger because I didnt really know what the implications for that maight be if I made cards and wanted to blog them the word promote was the problem...so off I went with the email and asked them as a forum member and a blogger and fbooker could I then post my cards on line and the answer was YES but I cant sell them on ebay or etsy or anything like that, but I can make them and sell them at craft fairs church halls etc but you will have to look at the policy for each stamp individually because they do change from stamp to stamp depending on the license that they hold from the artist...
So I suggest before using your stamps here and there you find out the policies on them and keep a count of just how many you are making so you dont go over the permitted allowance I only make a few with each stamp before it loses inspiration for me so not a problem for the average user but if you are selling then something to be aware of..and also some dont allow you to sell anything so thats important to know..its all in the angel policies so read them but dont be frightened of them the companies want you to buy their images and enjoy them!!
Thank You for reading this today I hope it at least helps someone as well as me hehe
Love Debby xx
Hi Debby, thank you for taking the time to do all of this research and sharing it. I think when you buy something, you should be able to use it however you want; excluding re-selling.Currently, I don't sell my crafts or cards but if I wanted to sell them, I don't think I would go through all of the trouble of making a 'kudos" card insert to advertise/credit a stamp company. This "Angel" policy has always left a bitter taste in my mouth. It's hard enough for crafters to sell their creations. They have to purchase any materials used, put it together, and pay booth rentals to sell anything they have made. This is enough work without having to add on "kudos" cards.
ReplyDeleteDitto what Doodling Debbie said! I think it's ridiculous, always have!
ReplyDeleteThanks for enlightening me on this subject. I wasn't even aware fo Angel Policies until you mentioned it. I do use alot of stamps, too.
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