A letter for all users of my BBO pattern
Hello my fellowing babywearers (or soon to be fellow babywearers)!
I am thrilled and a little bit humbled to know of the popularity of the Ball Baby Overall mei tai pattern. This simple little carrier has become something I am so proud of and I am so happy to know it is also something that many people around the world enjoy. Since I can't afford to give the entire world a carrier, I am so pleased to give this pattern away for free to anyone who wants to make a sling for themselves. That is just the best way I can think of to spread the babywearing love to as many people as possible.
While I am giving this pattern to anyone who wants to use it, I have some very specific conditions of this gift:
1. You may NOT use this pattern for profit of any kind. This includes, but is not exlusive to: Money, trades, services, etc. Please don't make BBO carriers for sale.
*Reason for this: While I have given this gift away, I still have a business to run. I think you will all agree that I probably lose sales by letting people make my carrier for free. I've been told by more than one business person that I am foolish to do this, but I really want to share with others. Still, I need to help my family financially as my husband is a cop and therefore we live on a small income. With that in mind, I want to be home with my children and my babywearing business allows that. Please, show respect for the fact that I take income from my family when I give you this pattern and don't take advantage of that.
*** Let me add some more specific details to this. Please do not take money for just the fabric, trade for just the fabric or anything for just the. Gift only if you make a faux bbo for another person. If a mama truly can't afford to buy a carrier then why AREN'T you giving it to her, fabric and all?
2. Give a carrier away. Please please, further what I've done by making one for you and one for someone else. Let it be a stranger who has her hands full, a mother you know from a playgroup, a daycare worker, a Father wanting to bond with his child... your friend from down the street. I don't care who it is, I just want you to give it away.
3. Please credit me when you are asked about your carrier. I don't care if you credit my pattern or my business (I'd love it if you did both), but please, credit me.
4. Because I am having this issue more and more it must be added. True, if you change an inch or two, add some padding etc, technically it's no longer my pattern. But, if I can establish that you created the carrier based on my pattern and used the bulk of my design for your carrier that you turn around and sell legally I can take steps to stop you. I don't want to, so please just be creative and come up with your own design. OR don't sell carriers until you have researched everything about what goes into it. Also, what kind of a person does it make YOU if you do just enough to "get by" my rules. That speaks poorly for your character and frankly, I would be ashamed to wear my child in something that had to do with such dishonest and unethical behavior.
Okay, that is all, thanks for being so kind and honest. I hope you love your faux BBOs!
Kimber