Stitches

Is using simple lettering from other cross stitch designs in my own designs a copyright infringement?

I am trying to start designing my own cross stich patterns, possibly as a business, but am not sure how to use lettering. Do I have to design my own, completely unique alphabet, or can I use simple ones that I have seen in lots of other places?

Public Comments

1. Some designs are so basic that they cannot be copyrighted and thus can be used freely. But the only way to know for sure if it is allowable is to ask an Intellectual Property Attorney.
2. If it's not a basic kind of lettering, it may be under copyright. Check out lots of old cross-stitch lettering (preferably done before about 1925 or so) online or in the library. You should be able to use anything you see that old since it will no longer be protected by copyright (and probably a lot of people were already doing that particular pattern). Here are some to get you started (I didn't check the actual dates for each though): http://images.google.com/images?q=vintage+cross+stitch+lettering
3. Try looking on the http://antiquepatternlibrary.org an amazing site full of inspiration.