License types for pattern designs

As there are almost as many ways to trade patterns as there are designers and buyers, we thought to write a couple of lines about our philosophy on pattern trade and license types for pattern designs. This post handles solely the ready-made exclusive surface pattern designs – we will write about patterns made by the commission in a separate posting later on.

Patternsfrom Agency’s fully digitalized Pattern Library includes over one thousand ready-made exclusive surface pattern designs. In a very short time, it has become an important source of designs for many companies within home textiles, fashion, and beyond. Let’s take a closer look at the license types we sell our exclusive surface pattern designs with.

We do not sell the copyrights of the ready-made patterns, but we license them. We offer three kinds of licenses for using our exclusive surface pattern designs, and each customer may choose the license they find most suitable for their needs.  The Limited exclusive license allows you to use the pattern in one market in one product group. The Semi-exclusive license lets you use the pattern either in one market for all product groups or globally for one product group. The holders of the Global exclusive license can use the pattern in all product groups globally.

 

Limited exclusive license

We have divided the world into ten markets and grouped the goods into nine product groups. With the Limited exclusive license, you are the exclusive holder of the pattern in one market and in one product group. This means that you may find tablecloths in China, bed linen and tablecloths in North America, and wallpapers in Europe all having the same pattern but different manufacturers.

This type of license is perfect for companies that are operating in a specific market with specific products. It is also suitable for companies that are still looking for their visual identity, and can not afford their own pattern designs. Even companies that are not familiar with Nordic design or highlighting the origin of their pattern designs are able to make some cost-efficient tests with this license type.

As a default, the license is for two years. If need be, we can prolong the term with design royalties that are based on the sales.

 

Semi-exclusive license

With the Semi-exclusive license, you are the exclusive holder of the pattern either globally for one product group OR for all product groups for one market. This means that you may license the pattern globally e.g. for wallpapers OR for all product groups in Southeast Asia. Saying this, Patternsfrom Agency can sell only one semi-exclusive license for each pattern – the rest will be only with limited exclusive terms.

This type of license is the best one for companies that are looking for exclusive patterns for a specific market or specific product group. These companies are willing to invest in design, and they understand the value that good design brings.

As a default, the license is for three years. If need be, we can prolong the term with design royalties that are based on the sales.

 

Global exclusive license

The holders of this license are the one and only company in the world, for all product groups, that has the right to use the unique, handmade pattern. For each pattern, there is only one license available at a time, so you will not see the pattern in any other products, anywhere in the world, as you have the global exclusive rights to use the pattern during the term of the agreement.

This type of license is the best one for companies that are operating in several markets and selling several kinds of products. Also, it is the best option for companies that are looking for and are willing to pay for global exclusivity for all product groups.

As a default, the license is for four years. If need be, we can prolong the term with design royalties that are based on the sales.

 

You can get to know our terms also via the Terms for licensing -page. No matter which license type you choose, there are some common terms that apply:

• You will get 1-3 color versions for a unique, hand-made pattern in Nordic style, which are delivered as production-ready .pdf files that open up in color-separated layers
• Each pattern is followed by an inspirational story there the designer explains her ideas during the design process. This story may be used freely alongside the product with the pattern.
• You can use the designer’s bio and photo for the marketing of the final product with the pattern.

As additional services, we are happy to

• change the original scale of a ready-made pattern
• add or remove elements or layers of ready-made a pattern
• add, remove or change the colors of a ready-made pattern

 

We release four collections in a year. The latest one of the collections is available only to the professionals reading our newsletter. If you consider yourself as one, subscribe to the newsletter and enjoy the patterns among the first ones!

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So, you have decided to rely on us as your supplier of unique, hand-made Nordic patterns. Great! Which license type suits your company best?