Cottage Industry Licensing -- FAQ

Jocole Cottage Industry Licensing

Cottage Industry Licensing, single person sewing-for-profit-home-business and not a license for commercial industry.

Step 1: Purchase the pattern and familiarize yourself with the construction.

Step 2: Purchase the Cottage Industry License.

Note: Once a License is issued fees are non-transferable and non-refundable. Renewals are on a yearly basis per pattern. All for sale items REQUIRE labels giving full designer credit to Jocole {“This item was created using the PATTERN NAME ™ pattern by Jocole from jocole.com”} when listing or describing items online or printed, on websites, blogs and on hangtags.

This commercial license gives you the freedom to sell your finished products made from my design and instructions. It does NOT give you permission to sell or give the pattern. The resale or redistribution or alteration of this PDF pattern or any part thereof is strictly prohibited (including descriptions, instructions, templates, pictures, whether electronic or printed). You may not post this pattern as a tutorial on your website or blog.

© Copyright 2011, Jocole, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this pattern is strictly prohibited by US and International copyright law. No part of this pattern may be re-sold, reproduced or shared in print or electronically, including, but not limited to, instructions and photographs.

Option #1: 12-month Limited Cottage Industry License – Individual Pattern ($15/year for the first pattern, $10 for each additional pattern). Pattern purchase is NOT included.

This license allows you to sell 50 of items created from one pattern for 12 months – after 50 items are created or after 12 months a renewal license must be purchased.

Option #2: 12-month Unlimited Cottage Industry License – Individual Pattern ($30/year for the first pattern, $20 for each additional pattern). Pattern purchase is NOT included.

This license allows you to sell an unlimited number of items created from one pattern for 12 months – after 12 months a renewal license must be purchased.

Option #3: Lifetime Unlimited Cottage Industry License – Individual Pattern ($150 for the first pattern, $100 for each additional pattern). Pattern purchase is NOT included.

This license allows you to sell an unlimited number of items created from one pattern and no renewal is required.

Licensing FAQ

Question: Is there any limit to the number of items I can sell per year with any of your contract options?

Answer: It depends on the option you choose.

Question: Can I purchase my pattern and licensing at the same time (or licensing before the pattern)?

Answer: I always suggest that you purchase your pattern in advance to familiarize yourself with the sewing process before you apply for a license – but if you are confident enough, yes you can.

Question: I am in a partnership with another WAHM, can we share a license?

Answer: Sorry, you each need to purchase separate licenses. There is currently no special discounts provided.

Question: If I purchase additional pattern licenses at a different time do I get the discounted rate?

Answer: Yes, of course, as long as you have purchased a Cottage Industry License in the same option category within the last 12 months.

Question: I don’t want to purchase a cottage license or sew Jocole patterns as a business. However, I have a friend/relative who wants me to make them an item. My friend/relative wants to pay me for this service. Can I do this without having to buy a cottage license?

Answer: It is illegal for you to sew products for money using our patterns without a license, even if you are only doing it on a small scale. However, there is a simple solution for this type of situation which will not require you to pay for a full cottage license. Simply have your friend/relative purchase their own copy of the pattern. Then you may legally sew for them using the pattern and have them pay you for your services. When you complete the projects for the purchaser, you return both the pattern and your sewing projects to them. In this way, you are contracting your sewing services but not violating the copyright for the patterns, since the person owns their own pattern is ONLY paying your for your sewing services.

Question: Can I trace, photocopy or re-print my patterns to share with friends? What about for my own use?

Answer: Jocole patterns are copyrighted, therefore it is illegal to distribute or share them with others, whether for sale or free of charge. Each user must purchase his/her own copy of the pattern to use.

You may, however, re-print, trace or copy part or all of the pattern and instructions for your own use. In fact, since these are multi-size patterns, we consider it necessary to do so in order to be able to utilize all of the different sizes.