Made By Mary decided to contact Disney directly about copyright on her Superhero Patterns and Dolls. She was told she could no longer sell the patterns. So she has decided to give them away.
It’s sad when creativity and hard work have to come to an end due to copyright restrictions. However, Mary’s decision to give away her Superhero Patterns and Dolls as a gift to her supporters is a selfless act of kindness. It’s heartwarming to see her generosity towards her fans who have appreciated and valued her work.
The fact that she’s still sharing her patterns, even though she can no longer sell them, shows her passion for the craft and her commitment to spreading the joy of crochet. It’s not often you see someone putting others’ enjoyment above their own financial gain. Mary’s action is a testament to the spirit of community and collaboration within the crafting world.
This is what Mary had to say
I got a letter back from Disney stating I am not allowed to sell Marvel and Disney related crochet patterns for business purposes. Sounds to me like I can’t sell them, but I won’t get in trouble if I give them away. So after much thought, I decided instead of retiring them, I’m going to make them all free! THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased them from me. I put a lot of time and effort into making these patterns and I hope you feel you got your money’s worth.
Superhero Patterns Available free and if you want to compensate Mary, consider purchasing one of her other patterns here.
Need Crochet supplies and Yarn? We highly recommend Lionbrand for quality yarn and ongoing yarn sales and discounts. Mke sure to check out their free crochet patterns too.
Edited to add, Mary no longer offers these patterns for free or paid. You can contact Mary Directly using the links above.
We do have access to this Batman Crochet Pattern that is similar.
You are not selling the pattern. You are selling something you made. I could understand if you sold the pattern. But selling a finished product…. I don’t understand. I can make clothes for someone who has a McCalls pattern. I just can’t call it my design. And they have to own the pattern. I am sorry. The dolls are awesome. And something I could not do. And Disney is not hurting for money so I don’t know what their beef is.
I LOVE your patterns!! Their loss is our gain. And I will DEFINITELY be buying some of your patterns. You have a talent I can only strive for!! THANK YOU!!
So sad – I totally agree with Donna! I have always used McCalls and other patterns! Why did they make them and sell them if they didn’t expect people to use them for something??? Disney are not even acknowledging your expertise – which is awesome! Thanks again for the patterns.
Copyright infringement is a protection right for the creator. This also includes images of the idea. If you created it, all profits belong to you, whether person or corporation.
They Are awesome my son is a massive avenger fan he would love these
Mary I was wondering if you could email me please
It’s great she’s ‘sticking it to the man’ but Superman, Batman, Robin and Wonderwoman are DC characters and are not affiliated with Marvel or Disney…
I would love to have the patterns please
She better check with Disney again. If Disney has the exclusive rights to the intellectual content then they have the exclusive right to create and distribute derivative works from it. (Exceptions are made for parodies that make a statement about the content or use the content to comment about something in society.) If someone distributes a non parody derivative work then they are violating the copyright and it doesn’t really matter if they sell it or give it away. The only difference is that if they are giving them away then a judge could decide to reduce the amount awarded to Disney.
What a wonderful response to a dilemma. Thank you Mary for your generousity.
Donna, unless someone pays to “License” a company’s character that they have created, you cannot sell anything in their likeness as it is illegal. This holds true with making anything from licensed fabric, and then selling it.
Thank you Mary. I will be making these super heroes for charity at my church.
Disney is a paid advertiser on CraftGossip-I can see their Camp Wilderness ad on my page. So I’m sure when Craft Gossip posted about these (super cute) dolls, Disney took notice, as they are licensed characters 🙁 And it’s my understanding you have to sell in great volumes to afford the licensure.
This would be an awesome gift for my son’s birthday coming up this month!! How may I get in contact with you!! These are lovely!!
I am a senior and would love to have these free patterns. I would make them and donate them to sick children.
sure would love to get the pattern for theses please and thank you
Do you have any dolls left to “give away”?…and be overly compensated for postage?
Your patterns are fabulous! Thanks so much for making them available. I saved your site and will be back to buy!
What gets me is that EVERY craft show i have ever been. to has used disney fabric. It would take a real person in every state (just. about) working full time to stop it. I can see using the “disney or characters names being an issue so why not just sell them as big heros & dress them like disney would” i wondet if that would change her issue. Also i would mention at the top of your page that they are free patterns but tips/donations are very much appreciated
Well I think if a fabric or ribbon or pattern is made. What ever the consumer makes with the bought item and then on sells shouldn’t be a problem. I know Disney is the only company that goes around stinging every small person in Australia at the least. But they always give a friendly warning once it goes to court guess what . It gets thrown out……
P. S I would appreciate the patterns as well please
Hi there. Just wondered how to get a copy and if would I be able to gift a small amount to cover cost of paper etc.
It’s because the characters, their images, and logos are all trademark protected by Disney and Marvel. The same goes with NFL logos (you can do anything in team colors as long as you don’t use logos). Most people sell their crochet patterns and work illegally thinking they’ll never get caught. Thank goodness you stopped because Disney is a ruthless shark! They will sue you and they even go to larger craft fairs looking to bust people. You have to have permission to sell patterns or finished products. The only exception is when you use fabric with Disney/Marvel patterns (you’ll have to look up the laws to learn why.. it’s all very confusing).
ABSOLUTLEY MAD MONEY MONEY MONEY THATS ALL PEAOPLE THINK ABOUT THINK THEY ARE GOOD SUCH A SHAME GOOD ON U
Thank you for giving the patterns away. I’m so sorry for the actions of Disney. I think it is wrong of them. They are doing this because they want the money for any characters associated with them. Your designs are wonderful. The hard work you have put in, is greatly appreciated. I will in the future purchase some of your patterns. At this time I can’t financially purchase any. Thank you for sharing your creativity with the world.
If you want these patterns you need to visit the link above and contact Made by Mary Directly.
i am unable to access the patterns, i was wondering if you can help me with this please
Lovely patterns and as I knit and crochet for the underprivately children and also the orphans in Uganda and New Guinea I would love the patterns please.
love to make these for my grandsons the youngest is batman crazy and if they are successful could try making some for the kids in hospital
I just want to say a big thank you for the freebies. I have made a purchase of a different pattern too. You are a very talented lady!
Donna if you click on the link, she sells patterns, not the actual dolls.
I can’t find the patterns please tell me where they are at
I don’t understand how Disney can stop you from selling the patterns that you created. The patterns were not produced by Disney they are artistic interpretations of known characters not exact copies. If you named the characters something like Captain USA, Batty Man, etc. you shouldn’t have a problem. After all they are your creations NOT Disney’s. There are thousands of look a like ( licensed) characters sold in China Town , discount toy stores and dollar stores across America every day with no problem. I have seen “knock offs” in Wal-Mart, Target and Toys R Us for many Disney characters. It seems odd that they would ban you from selling your own creations.
She could always give them away for free and put a xx amount of a tip donation would be appreciated (essentially what she would have charged when she was selling it) and bam! Nothing Disney could do if she gave them away for “free” with a tip appreciated. Some people do not mind giving such a tip 😀
Hi Mary,
Such an awful shame.
You’re superheros are truly amazing and including your love in making them and your darn hard work!
I’d love to help and get my hands on 1 in exchange for purchasing others.
I expect you’ve been inundated with offers.
If you’d like to get in touch with me then pls do hollar.
I’d love too hear from you
Kind regards
Lucy
Giving them away is distributing something based on the intellectual property of Marvel and Disney so is still breaking copyright law. Just as a point of interest if someone started copying and selling, or giving away Made by Mary ideas as their own, regardless of how big a company is that would be pretty unfair too. Be careful.
I guess I shouldn’t be amazed by the lack of legal misunderstanding here, but long story short, Mary was entirely in the wrong here. She was profiting from someone else’s intellectual property, it doesn’t matter if she created the pattern or not- she doesn’t own the right to use those characters, period. Marvel/Disney MUST protect their copyrights and trademarks against all comers, big and small, or risk losing the protection they have. Kudos to Mary for asking Disney, however giving away the patterns strikes me as sour grapes when she got her hand slapped for stealing.
THANK YOUR FOR YOUR GIFT!!
Would love to have directions to make for nephews for Christmas.
its a minefield, not only with copyright but trading standards can shut you down if the finished toy does not conform to current EU safety standards
s and ce certificated.
Gosh Chet Manley while you are correct in most of what you say it is beyond harsh to accuse anyone of stealing. In fact that was a downright nasty comment and you should sincerely apologise. If made by Mary’s intention was to steal why on earth would she contact Disney. Would by any chance be associated with Disney in any way?
You have used someone else’s characters (ie disney) which have broken copyright laws just by producing them. Giving them away free doesn’t change the fact that you have stolen something that you didn’t create! Yes you designed the pattern but you used someone else’s property to do that.
Ridiculous is all I can say and I would love to make these for my grandsons.
Mary I really would like these for my 5 year old twins who are super hero mad. Please let me know how to contact you x
Thank You for sharing these wonderful patterns and I will say that you have a wonderful talent and your creativity is awesome. My grands will love these and I will enjoy making them. Again KUDOS to you.
If it is stealing then why do they sell patterns for people to make their own if they didnt want people to make them they sould not sell the patterns or the fabric to make thir own creations but that is my opinion i love the fact that mary is taking the time out of her day to make these to now donate to kids when she doesnt really have to but she is doing somthing she loves
The same copyright laws apply to a large company like Disney or a small company or sole trader like Mary herself. If someone was taking a character SHE designed and made their own pattern and was selling it, she too would be able to stop them profiting from her own hard work. If you own the copyright to a character, then noone else can use it without your permission. It is that simple. Most importantly, & certainly true in the US, if a company doesn’t actively defend it’s copyright, it can lose it. Disney is doing what is has to or it could lose the rights to it’s characters.
Ultimately, the situation here is simple – by selling the patterns, Mary was profiting from someone else’s idea/property, which is illegal, like it or not. Characters are no different to any other invention. She may have designed the patterns, but they were obviously of characters invented by someone else – not herself.
I actually agree with the law that people shouldn’t sell things based on TV/Film/Book/Etc characters – I’d be gutted if I spent time and effort inventing a character and then other people started making money from it without my permission.
All that said, when I get annoyed is when no money is being made, such as a Primary School here in the UK that was forced to remove a mural from the playground wall by DIsney. Now THAT was pathetic.
Ashley – Disney sell patterns and fabric for you to make things from for yourself or your own children. Personal use. You are still not supposed to sell the finished products.
Dear Mary, Thank you for sharing. I am sure Disney has it’s reasons, but I hate their attitude. I bought one pattern and was thrilled with your style. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing these amazing patterns. I made a few batmen for christmas. Am now changing the pattern a bit and making them in peoples favourite football colours
Hi I was wondering if there is any way I could have copies of the patterns they look amazing and my nephew would love them all