We are in an area that has Hancock Fabric store. We were there recently & picked up a free brochure about using fleece & fleece gift items. Guess what??? Pictures & instructions to make a "Ribbons Of Comfort". Our take-along fleece blankets have small loops of ribbon stitched in the seams to provide babies with tacticle & visual stimulation.

People have had their listings pulled from e-bay recently because of Taggie's complaints, I mean with "proof" of Fisher Price having one out in the early 70s too. Wonder if Taggies will jail us for copying Hancock's directions? I still have never seen a true genuine Taggie. Remember, I got my directions from a phone conversation describing a homemade one to me by a non-sewer.

When I was required to respond to the allegations, I told them they needed to be getting their own fabric & ribbons that were not things available to the general public or they would never have their own item not being replicated.

I wonder what part of their profits go to their patent attorney? what they pay the ones who search online sites? the ones who attend craft shows, coast to coast, looking for them in booths? I guess that's why they have to charge $30 + s/h for something that can be made & shipped for way less than $5 each.

Anyone want Hancock's directions, contact them for Fleece & Gifts 2005, Hancock Fabrics Inc, One Fashion Way, Baldwyn, Mississippi 38824

This will be interesting to follow & see what happens between Taggie & Hancock. Booklet says you can teach from the publication but you can't make copies w/o Hancock's permission.

One of the founders of that company emailed me and tried to trick me into making one for her so that she could 'bust me' for copying her product. I wrote back and told her that I wouldn't charge any less than the (taggies) website she mentioned. She emailed me back about how she really really wanted one and would I make it for her. I said I was pretty busy and wasn't going to get to it very soon and why didn't she just order it from them and she gave me a bunch of rubbish about not wanting to "order online". That sounded pretty fishy to me, so I just deleted her emails and ignored her. Later we find out that she goes around to sewing forums, tricks people into making her a "blanket like the taggies blankets" and then threatens to sue people that make it and send it to her. Nasty woman.

Thanks for the link! I've got my copy printed out. (evil grin) Maybe the DOVE shelter needs a couple dozen of FREE ONES...LOL!

Good grief.

I think that they need to have special fabric and ribbons printed with the copyright thingy on it - and leave the plain ones to the rest of us - and get a life!

Hope that PERSON gets what she is due!

Cheers,
AJ

She has a taggie, and loved it! LOL I don't think mine turned out exactly like the link, but she was happy with it, she held it thru her feedings and would sit in your lap for a long time just holding and feeling it.

I guess the babies know best, but I just didn't see what was the "big whoo" about these things. I would rather give a little one a stuffed doll or animal - or better yet, a quilt! Let them drag it around, I don't care. The best quilt I ever made was completely threadbare by the time the little girl was 3. She loved her quilt to death.

Wonder if you changed the shape of the thing and called it a "lovey blankie" if they could sue you?

Joan sent me a copy of documentation which was the same badly photocopied letter unjustifiably threatening me for Hummels demanding money for being in violation of what I had never done--I even called the attorney listed on the letter long distance and never got a call back. Attorneys always call back and never send out badly done anything---I know, I worked for them so the letter was the first clue. I kept the letter until I weeded out what I really didn't need to avoid paying unnecessary poundage when I moved.

This was also a good lesson in having a backbone when I started receiving collection calls for accounts I never had--this is a current scam going around documented in my city's newspaper.

I received two collection letters and immediately noticed it was the same name, different company and address from the previous year's letter for a store (called store fraud unit to straightened it out because it wasn't me). I played along with the collection agency on the first phone call to get numbers and credit company names. The woman also said these nine accounts ..that's right, nine and hint no. 2...wouldn't come off my credit report for another 3 years and I know what is on my copies of credit reports from the 3 reporting agencies--that was hint number 3. I then proceeded to call every fraud unit for every credit card company, verified that it wasn't me, and gave them the head-up on what was going on. The gal from the collection agency called me back mad and nastier than all get out because several fraud units had called her back--I really enjoyed that one. The supposed attorney that didn't speak or present as an attorney called me a few weeks ago about the same accounts and then noticed I had called all the fraud units...he hung up quick when I mentioned it and hasn't called back since then.

These are all nicely done collection letters with problems of the same writer's name, different company and location, and a slicker operation. The woman running the sewing scam could learn some lessons from these guys...heh heh heh.

Apparently these people have found a new forum to scam. If this forum is smart, they will block the person from posting anything further.

I haven't heard from the scam collection people in the last few weeks. After what I did to them, I don't think they will be calling back any time soon.

I wonder if the woman would bother you if you described the blankets as a handmade baby's blanket with colorful "tabs" sewn on the blanket edges.

It is the term "tag" and any form of that word that may have caused the problem.

I would contact her and have a frank discussion about her suspending your e-bay account after discussing the situation with e-bay (be specific about what the woman pulls as a heads up to e-bay).

Inducing someone to make an item that "infringes" your purported rights, then suing them for soing so, is enough to get the suit thrown out of court.

*******
I work with copyrighted materials ... and they say their ribbon designs are copyrighted (don't copy the designs onto ribbon of your own manufacture) and the fleece has a copyrighted design (again, if you manufacture fabric, don't copy the design).

What "Taggies" does have is a TRADEMARK, when applied to infants and children's goods ... look it up at uspto.gov ... and like any company with a trademark (such as Intel or IBM) they will defend it from being used by other people.

They also have a patent: 6,427,265

"An interactive security blanket for children comprises two fabric sheets sewn together to provide a blanket body. One of the sheets preferably has a colorful children's pattern or design, while the other is provided in a complimentary solid color. Additionally, a plurality of spaced-apart ribbon loops, or "tags," are attached to the four edges of the blanket body, and extend out therefrom. The lengths of ribbon comprising the tags are looped from and back into the seam between the pieces of fleece, and are firmly attached at that seam. The tags are provided in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, e.g., they may be wide, thin, silky, textured, bright-colored, pastel, shiny, solid, and/or provided with fabric prints suitable for children. The tags function as a means for providing sensory stimulation for children via the children's passive (ocular) or active (tactile) interaction with the pillow or blanket."

That could be invalidated by "prior art" from Fisher Price, but it's expensive to defend against a patent suit.

Can anyone send me a link to a picture of the Fisher Price Blanket?

Also, I would never buy or make one of these because I can see the potential for injury should a baby's finger or toe be caught in a loop that becomes twisted. But, that's just me. ;-) bggs

Someone just has to take her on.

And, remembering I'm not a lawyer, I would think if she "entices" people to make the items then tries to get money out of them that would be called "unclean hands" in the eyes of the law.

If anyone has any of these emails please send them to me. I can add her to my Hall of Shame.

I haven't heard from the collection agency (agency with an address that always changes, signed by the same person) I called the bank fraud unit about. The bank verified it wasn't me, called the collection agency and the collector called me back cussing, yelling, and swearing, very unprofessional. You have to love the company fraud units.

I did some research on the agency and it seems they are being sued by several states for their business practices. I looked at one rip-off site, there are scads of complaints about them, and entered just a few more about them.

Hmmmmmmmmm ... if I make something at the request of the copyright holder, it CAN NOT be infringment. They have an absolute right to authorize reproduction of the copyrighted work.

I would be a stinker, make a few blankets using the same materials and advertise them as baby blankets with wide "loops" which they are. About time we put those tube turners we all bought years ago to good use.

Well, isn't that kind of what a patent is all about? The reason hancock's can provide instructions and all, is under the assumption that a kindly-hearted Grandma will make these and give them to her grandchildren. I suspect you can GIVE away as many as you want. It's only when profit is involved that anyone get their "knickers in a twist."

Frankly, I don't have kids, but it would seem to me to be far more interesting to make and carry around a stuffed animal made of different textured and colored materials. Those little loops look like finger trapping objects to me, too.

The stuffed animals sound like a good idea and a good way to use up scraps from your other sewing projects.

Babies choose what they choose without logical explanation because they like the object. Put one thing in front of a baby, they will grab it; put something different and they may grab or turn their nose up at it.

This would be a good time for you to learn to sew or do other crafting.

Turns out that after emailing Marlene a couple of times yesterday, I finally got a emailed signed by Julie Dix. Not that it gave me any additional info, but at least it was a contact.

She sent me a link to their patent. I want to know what idiot in the patent office gave them such a broad patent to sew fabric and ribbons together. Seems really ridiculous to me. These Taggies people are nasty! I, for one will be telling all my family and friends never to purchase anything from them.

I have been trying to figure out how to circumvent their patent, but because it is such a broad description, really can't come up with anything.

Also, if anyone has a link to a picture of that Fisher Price blanket from the 1970's, I would love to see it.

Thanks!

As far as the Fischer Price blanket, you can go to the patent site at US gov. and do a search for Fischer Price blanket...you should come up with something plus prior patent numbers for reference. Then see an attorney specializing in the field.

When I searched their website under this section it didn't come up. I'd write Hancocks and ask for a copy of the booklet.
Susan

Send me an e-mail.

Wrong. The VERO program is relying on the DMCA, and if the person who brings the complaint does not follow the rules, EXPLICITLY, including filing a lawsuit in a federal court within X days, the person against whom the complaint was issued can ask for a reinstatement.

ihatetaggies marlene, It seems as though someone would have thought to patent the 'hamburger', but I don't think there is one. The only thing you can't do is open a resterant and call it McDonalds, even if all you do is make sandwiches. You'd be in violation of their trademark. As much as it really sucks that Taggies is being SO obnoxious about the whole thing (and believe me it infuriates me to no end) some dork in the patent office granted it. If I win the lottery tonight, I'll spend the money to challange their patent ok! Then we can all make them. Until someone challenges the patent, we're stuck.

lazygardens, I love a woman who can wield a pen...or keyboard as the case may be. If I win the lottery, will you write my challenge?

A LOT ... If anyone can point me to a picture of the F-P blankie, I can have a better idea.

I'm wondering if I can change them by sewing the loops on teh outside of the back of the fabric, sewing them together and then topstitching the loops up? Seems to be the sewing loops between 2 pieces of fabric. This wouldn't be sewing them between. Don't know if that would work or not but might see how it looks.

Thank you!

However, I did find directions on how to make a pillow with prairie points (triangles of folded fabric) sticking out from around the edge of the pillow.

To adapt this to your needs, I offer the following observations:

You don't have to use prairie points.

You don't have to stuff the pillow.

You can top stitch around the edge of your unstuffed pillow.

CMC

Nancy

Anyone that would like a copy of the instructions for the taggie blanket they posted send me an e-mail and I will be glad to forward.

Nancy

It is so much easier and safer for babies to buy a piece of fleece and blanket binding, sew the blanket binding on all 4 sides to finish the ends, and call it a day. There are so many different blanket binding colors and prints put out by manufacturers these days to coordinate with fabrics.

Babies always did like to futz with the blanket binding, a much safer alternative in my view. If you look closely at those ribbon loops, babies can get their fingers caught in the loops and cause some serious injury to their fingers and no one knows how they manage to do it.

You don't have an e-mail listed.

Nancy

I'm sure that Hancock's removed the link because of Taggies. Anyhow, with all of that said welcome to the boards and we hope you stick around and get to know us. We really are a helpful bunch of people.
Susan

Not sure what e-mail I have on this site - try
nek8947@aol.com

Nancy

There are a few scams running around on this thing, as I was on the receiving end of it for sharing Hummel patterns--I don't share and have all original purchased charts and kits. They ask for money, threaten, and never return phone calls or e-mails (save the e-mails so the isp address can be saved and tracked back when you report the scam to your isp).

If you can get a physical address for this person that is even better so you can report the scam to the postal service for mail fraud. If you get a letter from a Boston law firm that looks like it's been photocopied a gazillion times and not an original letter an attorney will send, it is a scam.

Just a thought

Pat

DON'T make them for her.

In this case, not only is the name copyrighted and trademarked, but the DESIGN itself is PATENTED. Patents are a different issue entirely. No matter what you call it, you can't legally sell objects like it without violating patent law.

From the Wikipedia page about patents:

"A patent is not a right to practice or use the invention. Rather, a patent provides the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the patented invention for the term of the patent, usually 20 years from the filing date."

Somehow, someone managed to convince the US Patent Office that sewing a loop of ribbon into a seam was a NEW idea and a new invention. *I* dont' think it's a new invention, however, I don't work at the patent office, so my opinion doesn't count.

I believe a poster on this group reported that the patent holders informed her by letter from their lawyers that she could not allow her toddler to *use* a similar lovey blanket that she had sewn herself. And patent law does, indeed, give them the right to do so.

It's a crazy situation.

CMC
The infamous patent RE38782

Dear Robyn,

I am so sorry for the mis-undersatnding. Etsy does not patrol or work for Taggies in any way. We are not affiliated, and do not represent this company or any of their interests. Etsy strictly follows a commonly used Copyright Policy called the "DMCA". In it, a copyright holder must approach Etsy to have content removed from this site. People patrol and enforce their *own* copyright interests. In this case, Taggies contacted Etsy about you. Etsy cannot speak for Taggies and their choice to patrol one business over another. If you feel discriminated against by Taggies, you might consider writing to them about it, and how you feel as one of their customers.

You and your attorney may follow the proper steps to respond to this copyright concern, as detailed in our Copyright Policy here:

http://www.etsy.com/copyright_policy.php

Many thanks,
Emily

It's almost impossible to police such things, but since Taggies DOES have a legal patent, they are well within their rights to protect it. You have to keep in mind that it's not who invents or comes up with an idea that has the legal right to it, it's the person who has the patent or copyright for it. If you really want to get into a pickle, try selling something with a Disney character on it sometime! BTW--it's perfectly ok to copy these things for YOUR OWN USE, it's only when you try to sell them that you get into trouble.

Annie

http://www.ehow.com/how_4546348_sew-baby-blanket-tags.html

From: Kristina Steffen [mailto:kaotickrafter@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 10:55 PM
To: Cristi Navickas; mid@artfire.com
Subject: RE: Intellectual Properety Infringment Notice from Taggies Inc.

Ms. Navickas,
I apologize for any harm I may have caused. I had no prior knowledge of this patent.

I have a question. If my item does not have loops, is that considered an infringement? I read through the patent but I did not see any reference to un-looped ribbons.

If you could please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Kristina
http://www.kaotickrafter.blogspot.com
http://www.jetisteffen.blogspot.com
http://www.kaotickrafter.artfire.com
http://www.craft4emma.etsy.com

RE: Intellectual Properety Infringment Notice from Taggies Inc.‏
From: Cristi Navickas (cnavickas@taggies.com)
Sent: Thu 3/04/10 8:11 AM
To: Kristina Steffen (kaotickrafter@hotmail.com)
Attachments: 1 attachment
image001.png (7.7 KB)

If there are no loops there is no infringement.

Thank you,

Cristi Navickas

cnavickas@taggies.com

If anyone would like to see the entire e-mail thread, or would like the patent, feel free to e-mail me kaotickrafter@hotmail.com