Origami Heaven

A paperfolding paradise

The website of writer and paperfolding designer David Mitchell

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Permissions and fees
 
All original designs/artworks created by folding paper are the copyright of their designer. This copyright extends to include diagrams and instructions for folding the original designs/artworks, whether these are in the form of photos, videos, diagrams or crease patterns etc. Permission from the copyright holder is required before you can reproduce either the original design/artwork or any instructions for the folding or assembly sequences. Every designer is entitled to determine how their designs/artworks may and may not be used. This page explains the situation in relation to my own original designs/artworks.

I am a professional origami author, which just means that I write and illustrate books about origami for money. Many of my original designs appear in these books. Many others have appeared in the magazines and design collections of national origami societies around the world or in books by other authors. Others have appeared in photographs in books, on this website or on my facebook page.

Folding and/or Assembly Instructions

If I have published, or allowed to be published, the folding and/or assembly instuctions for a design this gives you permission to enjoy folding that design/artwork for yourself. You may also make the designs/artworks and give them away as gifts to your friends and demonstrate/teach other people how to make the designs/artworks person to person, individually or in groups, face to face or via electronic media, provided you are not being paid, or charging, for doing so.

(If, however, you are being paid because you are an education professional who works in a nursery, school, college or university then you may teach, display and exhibit the designs/artworks provided you are doing so as part of your employment. You may also photocopy the instructions and use them as teaching aids.)

Photographs

If I have only published photographs of the designs/artworks (rather than folding instructions) the permissions given above do not apply. You may however like to enjoy the challenge of 'reverse engineering' them for yourself. Please note, however, that reverse engineering a design from a photograph (or from an exhibited design/artwork) does not make it yours and does not give you any rights to further reproduce or otherwise use the designs/artwork in question.

I also retain the copyright in any images/photographs you make/take of my designs/artworks which feature these designs/artworks prominently (either those you fold yourself or those folded by me or other people). You may use these images/photographs for private enjoyment and distribute them freely, provided you are not being paid for doing so, or they are not being otherwise used for commercial purposes. You may not, for instance, make them available through commercial image sites such as Shutterstock. (If, however, you are being paid because you are an education professional who works in a nursery, school, college or university then you may use such photos as part of your employment.)

Any other situations

In any situation other than those outlined above you need to contact me for permission to use the designs/artworks. You can do this by email at davidmitchell@origamiheaven.com. I have the right either to refuse or to grant that permission. If I grant permission I have the right to set conditions, or to ask you for a fee, though I would normally only ask for a fee if you are going to earn money from your use of the design/artwork. It's good to share.

Acknowledgement

In every case where you teach or display my designs/artworks I would appreciate it if you would mention that I am the designer/artist and tell people where you found the folding instructions. I would also appreciate it if you would mention this website.

Retrospective Fees

If you breach my copyright by not asking for permission when you need to I am entitled to collect a fee from you retrospectively. What I normally do is ask for twice the fee I would have asked you to pay in the first place. This seems reasonable to me, and I hope it will encourage you to ask me up front. I like seeing my stuff out there and will be as helpful as I can.

Independent Rediscovery

Sometimes paperfolding designers rediscover designs that other paperfolders have already found. In this case copyright in the design belongs to whoever discovered / designed it first. This cuts both ways. If you have rediscovered one of my designs then the copyright is still mine. If I rediscover one of yours, then the copyright is still yours.

 
 
 
The words 'which feature these designs/artworks prominently' were added 3/11/2015.

This page was reformatted with the addition of sub-headings on 20/10/2020. The words 'or they are not being otherwise used for commercial purposes. You may not, for instance, make them available through commercial image sites such as Shutterstock' were added 20/10/2020. The 'Acknowledgement ' paragraph was rewritten, without changing its meaning, on 20/10/2020.

The words 'face to face or via electronic media' and 'or charging' were added to the Folding and/or Assembly Instructions section on 14/11/2020.