Selling Wood Whisperer Designs for Profit

Article - August 21, 2014

Someone asked me recently what my policies were concerning people building my projects and designs for profit. In most cases, my policy is “Have at it!” My personal mission is to teach woodworking and share the love of the craft. That includes encouraging people to build the projects I design. Once you start building quality furniture, it won’t take long before that first commission rolls in from a family-member, a friend, or a neighbor. So if you can support your hobby by building something I designed, that’s just awesome!

So what about the next stage? Let’s say you are a professional woodworker and you have an e-commerce site or Etsy store and you want to offer one of my designs as a regular item. Guess what? I still don’t mind! This is all part of my desire to spread the love of furniture-building and I consider it a win-win situation. Furthermore, my designs are not all that unique and I am heavily-influenced by the woodworking I see on a daily basis. Most things I make are either conscious or subconscious iterations of numerous other things, combined or modified into a form I find pleasing. So being excessively over-protective of such creations feels a bit overzealous to me. Ultimately, you selling those pieces has absolutely no impact on the business that puts Goldfish in my son’s mouth.

But there is one favor I ask and it’s really just a simple professional courtesy: give credit. If you’re building an exact copy of my Gadget Station, put something like “Original Design from TheWoodWhisperer.com” at the end of the description. It isn’t hard to do and you don’t wind up looking like a turd. The truth is, all I can do is make the request. I would never pursue a legal battle and I wouldn’t have much ground to stand on if I did. The woodworking community is very small and if you post a copy of something online it won’t take long before someone sees it and calls you out. So do yourself a favor and give credit where it’s due.

Here’s an example of something that came across my inbox today: Etsy Custom Bed Listing. You might recognize that bed as the Dogon Platform Bed I built for a client last year. If James can actually get $8500 for that bed (I only charged $5000), all the power to him. But you’ll notice that the description makes no mention of who designed the piece. I have since emailed the seller and requested that he add a line to the description. If he doesn’t respond, so be it.

*UPDATE* – It looks like James updated the page to include attribution. I want to be very clear that I had no intention of villainizing James in any way and I truly hope he can sell the bed. Because I have never made an official public statement about my policies on this sort of thing, I was using this Etsy post as an example to help illustrate my point. Credit to James for responding quickly and making the change!

Please keep in mind that these are just MY policies. Not every woodworker out there is so willing to let you build their designs for profit (legal realities aside). So do your homework before you sell and when in doubt, ask! If you’re interested in reading up on the ethical and legal issues involved in reproducing someone else’s designs for profit, check out these helpful articles:

– Is Copying Furniture Legal? – Fine Woodworking
– Imitation Could Be Illegal – Popular Woodworking
– Is OK to Sell Furniture Based on FWW Articles? – Fine Woodworking

Discussion

Russel Trojan August 21, 2014 1:42 pm

Good Policy. From what I’ve seen over the years, there is very little truly original furniture design. While I’m not at your level, even I have had pieces copied. My thought has always been, that if there’s a sale, odds are against my getting it so why take money from someone else’s pocket. Besides, I am honored that somebody would like my work enough to copy it.

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- vito c. August 23, 2014 7:26 am
  
  hello mark,
  i’m a fellow woodworker and i been following you for a couple of months now
  and all that comes to mind is what a class act you are.
  the woodworking world is a better place with you in it…thank you for being you..
  
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  - Mike August 24, 2014 6:38 am
    
    I agree completely with vito c. You are a Class act, Mark.
    It’s very refreshing to see that you’ve taken this relaxed, humble, and honest approach to this issue. Keep it up and thank you for sharing your designs and process with all of us.
    
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Josh August 21, 2014 1:46 pm

It may or may not be illegal, but I’d classify it as unethical. It’s sad to think that someone who comes here would think it perfectly okay to pass off something seen here as his own design.
Texfire

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Kevin August 21, 2014 1:57 pm

This seems to be a big issue lately. I know Darrell Peart has had some issues with this lately but, he’s doing things a little different than Marc.

Hats off to Marc on his stance as it’s a pretty obvious copy!

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bigbullets August 21, 2014 2:04 pm

Your the man while it may not be ethical gives a guy like me a good starting point and allow me to became more creative along the way coming up with my own designs

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Will Miller August 21, 2014 2:05 pm

I made a few versions of a Federal table designed by Steve Latta. So, whenever I refer to it, I call it a Latta-inspired Federal table. The design is basically centuries old, but I used some of his techniques and some of my own, so credit is due.

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Joel August 21, 2014 2:09 pm

Well that’s just awesome! I love that you see it like that — teaching. I for one have learned a lot from you, but have yet to make any that I attempted to sell.

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joe laviolette August 21, 2014 2:17 pm

Copy an Eames lounge (if you can) and post it online. You’ll find out quickly how seriously some people value original designs

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Craig August 21, 2014 2:24 pm

I’m with Josh and Marc on this one… in most places it’s not illegal to do so, but it’s not especially ethical, IMO, to plagiarize someone else’s design and then make $ off of it.

– If your product was inspired by something you saw then you worked up your own design plan for it, no credit necessary.
– if your product was a deliberate reproduction of another’s work, or built directly from someone else’s plans, GIVE CREDIT where credit is due, but you still did all the work, so you get to make bank off of it.

just my $.02.

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- Ken September 26, 2017 6:38 am
  
  I realize that I’m being rather pedantic with this comment, but, I basically agree with your comment entirely, except for the use of the term “plagiarize”.
  
  If I, or anyone, purchases plans, and then builds the furniture following those plans, it’s not plagiarizing, it is simply following the plans that you paid for. I agree that credit should still be given, but it is no more plagiarizing than following a recipe from a cook book. You purchased the instructions, and you followed the instructions, but you still had to put in the work, and have the skill to do it properly. Plagiarizing, to me, implies that it is completely someone else’s work. When you plagiarize written works, you are simply copying the text without any effort of your own. Same goes for making a print of a piece of artwork. But with a piece of furniture, regardless of the source of the design, it requires the builder to actually MAKE the piece, with real skill involved. And I think that’s a big defining factor.
  
  I suppose it would be different if someone went out of their way to say something like “my design”, but I’m guessing most of the time it is going to be more along the lines of “handmade” or something to that effect, and simply not attributing design credit to themselves or the original designer.
  
  At the end of the day, give credit where due.
  
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  - Marc Spagnuolo September 26, 2017 8:47 am
    
    I think Plagiarize is the right term. If you buy a plan, build the project, and then try to pass it off as your own, that’s the woodworking version of plagiarism. If your scenario were true, then you could also make the argument that a document I copied verbatim is not plagiarized because I used my own skills to hand-write or type it. For me, the bottom line is if you copy a project or idea (in part or in full), without giving credit, you are plagiarizing. And if you cook a recipe out of a cookbook and then tell your guests that you came up with that recipe yourself, you are plagiarizing.
    
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Scott August 21, 2014 2:42 pm

Plot twist: The Etsy seller is really the guy who commissioned the original piece just trying to flip it for a profit! :)

Glad you feel this way though. I’m in the same boat, although I’ve only created 1 thing that 1 person has felt like copying. Stickley doesn’t seem to mind either based on all the places that offer knockoffs (usually at a higher price, which I don’t get).

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 21, 2014 3:06 pm
  
  haha I do like that plot twist. That would be something! :)
  
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Tyson August 21, 2014 2:48 pm

Marc,

You are a true gentleman. You do our vocation a service with your generosity, in both your knowledge and designs.

Keep up the great work!

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Rick Roades August 21, 2014 2:56 pm

Just looked – he does have a line at the bottom now giving credit to Marc.

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Marc! August 21, 2014 2:56 pm

The seller did add that line stating “The bedframe pictured above was designed by Marc Spagnuolo (The Wood Whisperer)”

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Cullen August 21, 2014 2:58 pm

Looks like the Etsy listing is already updated with attribution

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John Piwaron August 21, 2014 3:01 pm

I think your attitude about it is cool, but I think it may also be an exception. In the beginning, I built from plans, however they were presented. Then I’d build from a plan and throw in some changes. Now, years later, I build my own stuff. All never for sale. *IF* I saw that someone had knocked off something I made I don’t think I’d be all that happy about it. At least the guy/gal could ask first. OTOH, there’s not much new under the sun. If you build a Queen Anne highboy, you’re probably one of thousands that have. If, on the other hand, you build a bed like the one in that Festool video, you’re probably ripping off an original. Be nice and do something different. FWIW, I *have* built something that someone else has designed. But I’m also certain it’s not exactly the same. I had to go from a small picture. That’s it. I never even got to see the real thing. And I only built for me.

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HS Shop Teacher August 21, 2014 3:08 pm

Have you ever thought of a Creative Commons licence on your woodworking projects? This is a way of protecting your work, but still allowing others to use it, while you get the credit. Current copyright laws are very restrictive, but the Creative Commons licences allow artists, teachers, and others to licence their works in ways that will have the flexibility that they need.

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Marshall August 21, 2014 3:11 pm

Great policy. If he does sell it for $8500 though, I certainly hope he’ll see fit to send some coin your way, if only by purchasing a bunch of stuff from your shop. Profiting off another with their permission is okay, but gratefulness should be mandatory.

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David Finch August 21, 2014 3:22 pm

I absolutely agree with your policy…though I offer an additional good reason why you do want to attribute correctly.
I find that having an appropriate comment on any design as to its origin, whether it is “Designed by …”, “Based on a design by …” or even “In the style of …” increases the status of the piece, and sets it apart from anything else. It shows that thought has gone into the design itself, and it was not just thrown together, rather somebody came up with the design and somebody else decided it was worth copying….with any luck, that increases the chances of it selling for megabucks.
In reality the name itself is largely irrelevant, because 99.9% of the population don’t know who any of these people are, but be careful, it is probably counter-production if the attribution is to “Ikea”.

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Rob Grossnickle August 21, 2014 3:31 pm

Classy bro. The way you handled that. Straight classy.

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Brian August 21, 2014 3:34 pm

I think the biggest question is, is he selling the design or the craftsmanship? I can agree that the design is part of it, but we all copy furniture that was originally designed (in some cases) hundreds of years ago.

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Ryan August 21, 2014 3:49 pm

Awesome!

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Tom Iovino August 21, 2014 4:05 pm

But, Marc, what about that bag of your back hair I saved from the shower when we bunked together at Woodworking in America? I was gonna sell that and make a FORTUNE!

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Gill Escobedo August 21, 2014 4:11 pm

I’m going to make a wooden grasshopper empire!!!!

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Andy Klein August 21, 2014 4:27 pm

I think he should pose on the bed in drag, that went so well for you!

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 21, 2014 4:56 pm
  
  I stand by my performance!
  
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Ron Robbins August 21, 2014 4:58 pm

This has got to be the most “feel good” thing I have read all day.

I am by no means skilled enough yet to come close to building something that you show on your website. It’s nice to know though that if I attempt something I can sell it and not feel guilty about it. If I could not sell my “practice pieces” then I would someday end up with a house full of items I don’t need and the wife might decide to get rid of me.

A large part of what I do now is pen making. There has been a lot of talk about copying others designs and not giving credit in the pen making community. What you wrote is a refreshing perspective and a really mature way to look at it. Thanks for writing this!!

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Jim_ny August 21, 2014 5:17 pm

Marc I like your thinking on this and you should feel flattered that your design that you come up with LOTS of people would love to have/make. Only thing I could think that would be a negitive is the client you made the bed for wanting the original. Either way you make great peices and be proud to see that others want to build them.

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Omar M. Rashash August 21, 2014 5:46 pm

This is actually rather timely. I use a number of jigs, based upon published designs, in some of the classes I teach. Even when they may have been modified and only resemble the original in passing, I still credit the original designer. I noticed the other day that someone on YouTube had a box joint jig that was basically a part for part copy of a ShopNotes published design. Even if he’d made extensive changes to it, it would still be proper to credit the source. He did not. It’s not my job to enforce someone else’s copyright, but that’s kind of tacky.

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Lowell Tackett August 21, 2014 6:49 pm

Bill Gates would not approve of this message… “open source” rocks! Marc, your “platform” in the wood butchering world is a Round Table, not a Boardroom Table. Bless your little wood-shavings heart!

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Sam Berry August 21, 2014 7:59 pm

Always tip the dealer.

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patrick melchior August 21, 2014 8:04 pm

what about all the cutting boards that are on the web, you tube…someone designed the cutting board we all made at one time or another. I side with Marc, give credit where credit is due, but I wont take money from a mans pocket….especially in this day and age.

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Ryan Wilson August 21, 2014 10:43 pm

Although I don’t ever imagine myself doing an exact copy of someone else’s design (mostly because I like to be creative of my own accord; influenced yes, of course), I admire your stance on this issue. It seems to me to be a very mature and level-headed approach. Complimenti!

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Kevin Chaplin August 22, 2014 2:31 am

Hi Marc I’m just starting out on this woodworking for profit game so forgive me if I do or say anything out of order. So I make a video blog in which I state I’ve made an object I saw on your site, is it wrong to send people to your “how to make it video”
Regards The Artful Bodger

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 22, 2014 6:22 am
  
  No that would not be wrong. :)
  
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Bob Natsch August 22, 2014 6:10 am

Your policy only goes to show your love for the craft and your genuine desire to help others succeed. Legality be damned! Whether it is legal to reproduce and sell a design is beside the point. Copying another’s original design and selling it as your own without the proper attribution to the REAL designer is pretty cheesy and just plain wrong. Thanks for all you do for the craft as an ambassador. I just hope that you can continue to make a living doing something that you love. We should all be so fortunate.

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Chris Neve August 22, 2014 6:37 am

I loved the write up but am I the only one concerned that by requesting the seller of the bed to reference the designer and original constructor, (I agree with by the way) that any potential buyer will now research this site and read the statements that the bed is over priced by about $3500.00. Is it not fair to assume that by building the original bed additional revenue was made through the guild and/or website contributions and that the seller of the “Etsy” bed will not make? I am only worried that the write up (again I completely agree with) will negatively impact the sale of the “Etsy” bed by the seller who may be relying on that income to support his family.

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 22, 2014 8:47 am
  
  Well, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it Chris. First, I find it unlikely that anyone shopping for furniture on Etsy is going to stay on my site long enough to find this particular post. And if they do, it isn’t like they have many alternative options. If they truly want that bed, where else are they going to get it? They could certainly haggle with the guy if they want to, but he is in the power position as this isn’t a bed you can find anywhere else.
  
  And I should clarify that $5000 figure. Truth is, that’s what I WOULD have charged. But I actually only charged $3000 because I knew I’d be making additional revenue from the Guild. I passed the savings onto my client.
  
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- Brian Benham August 22, 2014 10:23 am
  
  Chris Neve, I would not worry to much if this guy is not able to sell it for his original asking price of $8,500. If he is going to make a living at woodworking long term he is going to need to come up with some of his own original designs, or make a better effort to somehow elaborate on the designs that he is copying.
  A potential buyer that is willing to plunk down that kind of cash will most likely want an original design from an artist, not a reproductionist, and will most likely be looking to see some of his other ORIGINAL works before buying. Much like the client Marc originally built it for, bought it from Marc because of his craftsman ship and originality of design.
  It may be rude for me to say, but I think James will be a one trick pony.
  
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  - James November 14, 2014 10:12 am
    
    Oh Brian Benham, it is really rude (and ignorant) of you to say I’m a one trick pony when you don’t know me or what I have done. You should decide what your stance is on a subject before writing, because your comments are contradictory. You say you have copied design exactly but I should not? You say we all learn by imitating, but I should not? The most ridiculous part of this is that Marc sells his plans for the purpose or reproducing them!!!!
    Yes I should have credited him originally but I simply overlooked it.
    Anyone doing any woodworking is adding the the community, I think you are a little quick to villainize someone for building a piece of furniture. I’m not sure why you are so stuck on having me add my own flair to a project. If I like a design I will build it just that way. I think we are all forgetting I still bought, milled, cut, glued, sanded and finished the lumber all by myself. If you paint a replica of a painting is it no longer art?
    
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rod August 22, 2014 8:20 am

Marc,

I understand the reasons you gave for your particular stance on this, but I think it still has to be said–“that is very cool and generous of you!”

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Greg August 22, 2014 8:51 am

Marc,

I totally agree with your stance on giving credit for items for sale or items built for personal use. I actually think that listing the source of the design as coming from someone the likes of you could actually add value to the piece so why not give credit.

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Mike August 22, 2014 9:21 am

Marc,
After an initial ‘pang’ of quieted rage your response indicates just another reason why I’m a Guild member. I really appreciate your devotion to the craft.

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Jack in TN August 22, 2014 9:31 am

Marc has been great about giving attribution to designs that influence him. Many of us in the community do (an should IMHO) give attribution to source materials (if we can determine them! :-) … we all learn many things from many places that change our personal tastes and designs).

There are many different versions of the Creative Commons licensing. Most often used is ‘give attribution, no commercial reproductions’, and from what I hear from Marc that is not exactly what he has in mind. Marc seems to be more of ‘give attribution, OK for commercial reproduction’. IMHO, at least a token monetary compensation would be nice too, even if Marc doesn’t demand it. (At least send support to Wood Talk if nothing else!) Then again, this is just my way of looking at the world.

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JohnT August 22, 2014 9:35 am

Phew! I am relieved after reading this. I built a shelf from your video a year or so ago, and traded it to a friend for a new fish tank. I have been keeping it secret for some time now, hoping word didn’t back to you. In all fairness to you, I did tell him where I got the inspiration. I simply added a few more angles to the shelves and supporting base. I guess I should be giving you thanks as well as credit, because I got to build an awesome shelf and get some fish as a bonus.

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Joel Mahoney August 22, 2014 9:52 am

Marc, that is very good of you. In this day and age of copyright infringement, it is hard to find someone decent enough to share their ideas for the advancement of woodworking. You’re a stand up guy.

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Gerrit August 22, 2014 10:36 am

What an honour to have your designs copied, and sold for good money. The idea of that is worth more than a few $’s in your pocket. The day my design get copied, I will officially feel like I too achieved greatness in woodworking. Like your attitude on this. A true inspiration to us woodworkers that’s not nessasarily in it for profit, but more for the love of the art.

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Ron August 22, 2014 10:40 am

Mark,

You really impressed me with your policy. Your a good guy Mark .

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Keith August 22, 2014 11:34 am

This is the kind of thing that keeps me coming to your site. True love and passion for the craft ! Plus you’re quite entertaining to watch. Keep it up !

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Jim Pell August 22, 2014 12:39 pm

Marc,
The internet and in particular, YouTube, has created a marvelous array of information, design and techniques for the woodworking community. Professional woodworkers, turners and finishers have willing shared their intellectual knowledge and skills with the community. We have all benefited from this exchange of information, especially myself, and I try to acknowledge the person or persons who provided me with help, information and inspiration. I commend you on your position in respect to this issue.
Jim Pell

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Dinger August 22, 2014 1:14 pm

Marc,

Just like you gave a nod to Krenov in your next guild-build. Way to practice what you preach! As always your candor is appreciated. And your generosity. You could be a turd about this but you’re not.

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 22, 2014 1:28 pm
  
  Thanks Dinger. No one likes a turd, right? ;)
  
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abt August 22, 2014 4:46 pm

You see woodworkers like Mark, from the magazines, TV shows etc. that always seem to give a shout out to those that may have designed the original piece. Even if you modify a design enough to claim some piece you’ve designed as an original design, why not make a ‘inspired by a Mark Spagnuolo (or other woodworker) piece’ note? I personally think it helps a customer to know that a piece is designed or inspired by another accomplished woodworker.

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Wayne August 22, 2014 4:52 pm

Beginning woodworkers are avid copiers of other people’s work, it’s how you learn. In the beginning you make exact copies, then as you progress you modify and add your own touches. The goal is to be able to design your own stuff and this is what I am working towards.
When it comes to commercial companies copying your design, giving you credit for it is making you more famous. Don’t most woodworkers want to die knowing that someone out there is copying and being inspired by their original work?

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Trever Braun August 22, 2014 5:09 pm

Mark,

This is truly an altruistic approach to the and you’re giving a lot to the community.

Now here’s a twist on the topic.

I built the Roubo with the guild. After seeing it for themselves, other garage woodworkers have approached me about teaching them what I know about building it. I tend to direct them to the guild page and the Schwarz boom as being my muse on construction, but generally get sucked into helping one way or another. It’s all quite friendly and a very positive experience.

What’s your outlook on, more or less, teaching them the specific details of what I learned in the guild? Showing them segments of an episode or two?

Or to take it further, what if a local guild/store asked me to teach a class on building that specific bench?

Would it make a difference if it was for profit or volunteer time to a club?

Abstract questions, I admit. But I can see this happening in the years to come as visitors in my shop inevitbly marvel at the bench and it’s elegance.

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 22, 2014 5:46 pm
  
  Hey Trever. Obviously much of this falls into a gray area. And the reality is you can do all of the above and I wouldn’t really try to stop you. Asking how I feel about it is a very considerate thing to do. Showing your buddies or fellow Guild members techniques that you learned in a Guild video is perfectly fine. I learned these techniques from someone else, I taught them to you, and I would hope and expect that you’ll teach them to someone else. That’s what makes the woodworking world go ’round.
  
  But when we get into the area of displaying Guild video content on a larger scale than in your shop on your laptop or sharing plans with friends and local Guild members, we’re venturing into territory that’s best handled on a case by case basis. So if you’re ever in doubt and you have an opportunity coming up, shoot me an email and we’ll talk.
  
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- John Fitz August 23, 2014 3:11 pm
  
  Trever – great question. I say if the others are aspiring woodworkers, have one of the requirements be that they also need to buy the Ruobo build on the Guild site as well, and you can work with them and guide them on the project. Who knows maybe they’ll find the Guild is just what they’ve been looking for.
  
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Brian Benham August 22, 2014 7:27 pm

Trever,
Teaching other people what you have learned is how this craft will stay alive. How to do a craft should be passed down from generation to generation. I don’t think any woodworking educator would mind if you taught what you learned from them to others. Especially if you were to put it in your own words. If you compare Matts basement workshop, the hand tool school, woodworking for Meir mortals, and the woodwhisperer to each other. You will see, much of their teachings cover the same material, they just do it in their own entertaining way, and each is respected for their different styles of teaching.

You wouldn’t want to stand up there with Marc’s famous 5’o clock shadow and recite his videos word for word. You will be much more successful if you make it your own.

In the case of James who built an exact replica of the bed that started this post, he did not add any of his own style to the piece, I’m simply not impress. I know in the journey of learning this craft many of us and my self-included have built exact replicas to learn from. However, there is a difference between building a replica of a style of furniture, verses building a replica of a current artists design to intentionally sell for profit.

I am a member of custommade.com and I see all the time where customers will post an original design from another member of custommade.com asking for bids on that item exactly as it appears. I can only speculate they are doing this to see what other makers prices are instead of contacting the original maker directly to have him build it. That is just wrong, and whether or not Marc is ok with it or not I feel as woodworkers we should always strive to add our own style, or flavor to a piece and not build exact replicas. Especially if our intent it to profit from it.

If you only build exact replicas you are not adding any value to the woodworking community. We should feed off each other creativity NOT copy it.

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Grantman August 23, 2014 4:59 am

You’re a mensch, Marc. You’ve got the right attitude and perspective. You’re doing more than your part for keeping our craft alive and well.

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Kevin H August 23, 2014 7:19 am

I wasn’t going to comment about this but feel I should.
I feel there is no “original” designs left for anything. All we have is small personal touches to add, (which have probably already been done by someone else and never publicized) whatever they may be. That is just IMO.

Further I would like to add the following.
Big box stores ran by corporations are importing entirely way too much “throw away pressboard garbage furniture and other things” to do any of us any good. I could go on discussing the quality and what not, but that would be “preaching to the choir”. I feel we should band together, copy each other’s designs if that’s what one likes, and to add his/her own spin to it, if wanted. We need to bring quality pieces back into as many households, businesses and the like. We have become a society of throw it away when it breaks type of people. This is a horrible concept in many ways such as the Eco waste in production, shipping, use, and discarding it at the end of it’s more than likely short useful lifespan. Not to mention the money thrown away over time in repurchasing items.

Anyhow I think you see my views.
Humbly
Kevin Hanes

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James Porter August 26, 2014 2:29 pm

Must admit I don’t remember even making the bed never mind putting it on Etsy.

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Jake Williams August 27, 2014 4:49 pm

I think you’ve got a reasonable policy going here. It’s almost impossible to stop the spread of intellectual property on the internet, so if you had a policy that said “don’t use my designs to sell stuff” people probably still would, but would resent you for having the policy. But by saying “use it all you want, just give me credit if you use the design” people feel like you’ve done something generous and are probably more likely to recognize you.

It’s like when bands have a “don’t pirate my music” policy. People still do it. I’ve heard that bands that release music for free with a suggested donation make more money than when they copyright everything. Looks like you’re doing the internet right :)

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Kevin J August 29, 2014 12:09 pm

Has anyone mentioned that he did post a pic of the bed with a Dog on it? In a subtle way he was giving a nod to his inspiration.

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- Marc Spagnuolo August 29, 2014 12:25 pm
  
  I see what you did there. :)
  
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Joe Faraone October 23, 2014 7:09 pm

Marc,
Thanks for the great advice. I was asked by a furniture store to reproduce some boxes for sale that I had made as Christmas gifts for my nieces. The plans came from Woodsmith… When I asked them for permission, they were glad to grant it, the only stipulation being that, if asked, I had to credit them as inspired by Woodsmith. Now my conscience is clear, and I won’t be THAT guy.

Cheers,
JF

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SamV September 11, 2015 4:35 pm

That’s great of you Marc very generous. I work straight off of St. Roy and give him (and Roubo) a lot of credit. But I still get people that are amazed and think whatever craziness about me when I’m just following Chapter 1 and building a workbench, bookstand, bookcase, Moxon vise.

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Rob Mahan October 9, 2015 12:04 pm

Marc, as many have already said, you’re most generous with your intellectual property. Your motivation to spread the word, skills, and love of woodworking is inspiring.

I believe your policy is very much in line with the Creative Commons “Attribution 3.0 United States (CC BY 3.0 US)” license, described at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/.

This license might give you a shorthand way of expressing your generous policy going forward.

All the best,
Rob @ Marietta Wood Works

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Jordan January 9, 2016 9:29 pm

I love your take on this and your general approach – a woodworker with the heart of a teacher. I myself am a teacher, and I wouldn’t be able to help my students as well if it weren’t for those far better than me. Teaching really is a profession of “borrowing” or so we don’t have to “reinvent the wheel.” Thanks for your generosity and being such a great teacher.

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- Bill Sturley February 3, 2016 1:46 pm
  
  Marc: In case you didn’t know, you might be traveling with rarified company. Ben Franklin who invented bifocals, the lightening rod, and the Franklin stove among other things always said he didn’t not want income from his inventions. He felt if he could help the world be a better place that was enough compensation for him.
  
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