Copyright and Charlie and Lola?

[ArsMamatoria]

Saw an interview with Lauren Child, who talks about all the material she collects (linings of envelopes etc.) to use for the Charlie and Lola books. Surely there would be a copyright issue over using some of the patterns?
I'm interested because I use small scraps of wrapping paper, fabric, torn up pages from magazines etc. on items that I'd like to sell.

Anyone have any idea about this?

Yes! My DH and I had exactly the same conversation after reading it!!!

There certainly should be copyright issues.

There is a copyright issue, however it is unlikely that anyone would prosecute because the cost of proving that your design was that used would be high and the rewards low - you might for example be awarded a rights percentage of the book, so you could get 0.1% of the profits. Or 68p, probably.

To be sure, people like John Lewis who print their own patterns and paper, do protect their designs but who would know where a material came from and if it's only a scrap would it be enough of a big deal to reuse it.

Of course some materials are designed for this purpose - for example sewing fabrics - you are meant to repurpose them. And people do then sell them on because it's a constituent part.

But you can't claim copyright on constituent parts in this way. However conversely one cannot say 'this fabric is made by John Lewis therefore this is a John Lewis dress.'

So clear as mud then.