Frequently Asked Questions

OrigamiUSA is run by a board, a board chair and various committees. You can find out more information about all of these constituents on the main contact page here.

In order to do that, we'd need to get permission from the authors and publisher of the diagrams for each model, and that's just not practical.

Only after securing permission from the composer of the figure (and if different, the photographer who took the image).



Not without permission from the original author, unless the author has specifically put them into the public domain.

Most copyright law contains certain exceptions, which in the U.S. come under the doctrine of “Fair Use.” Although the law is (intentionally) somewhat vague about the specific boundaries of “Fair Use,” teaching an origami figure to someone else informally is generally considered acceptable.



That would be considered commercial usage for which permission must be obtained from the composer.

No. a reproduction of a creative work is considered a derivative work no matter how it was derived and the original composer retains rights in the work.



No. A modification of a creative work is considered a derivative work and the original composer retains rights in the work.

If the figure is explicitly noted as a traditional figure, yes. If the figure was composed by an individual (who is usually credited in the book), you may fold it for personal use but commercial usage of the origami figure requires permission from the composer of the figure.



No. An author can give his/her work away while still retaining control over other forms of distribution.

Not without permission of the author. Video instructions would still be considered a "derivative work" of the original.

You should demand to see written permission from the original authors. The vast majority of diagrams from web sources (e.g., eBay) that are claimed to have resale rights, don’t.

There are several documented examples of simultaneous composition in origami, particularly among figures of a highly geometrical nature. (This situation is analogous to two musical composers independently composing the same melody; it’s rare, but does happen.) If the figures were composed independently, each composer has the right to assign rights to his/her own design.



No. You may find them useful for understanding general issues, but for any specific legal question you should contact your own lawyer familiar with the relevant laws in your area. In particular, copyright laws vary somewhat from country to country.

We need to verify that each vote comes from a current member, and that no member votes more than once. Your name and membership number allows us to do that.

Yes.

Each membership, no matter what category, gets one vote. That means a family membership gets only one vote.

The only person who sees your ballot is the person who counts them. That person does not reveal any individual votes to anyone else.

Check the envelope your ballot came in -- your membership number is on the address label. If you still don't know your membership number, write your name clearly on your ballot.

The person who counts the ballots checks the name on the ballot against the membership number, and if they don't match they will reject the ballot. To make that person's job easier, please use the name that appears first on the address label. If you're not sure which name that is, writing all the names on the ballot will help the ballot counter to identify your membership.

In sending your ballot to the ballot counter, you are designating the ballot counter to be your proxy, which means that he will cast a vote on your behalf at the annual meeting. Simply put, you are asking him to vote for you, and you are telling him how you want to vote.

No -- that is not the proxy's function. The proxy will cast a vote for you based on your instructions. If you don't make a clear choice, the proxy will not vote your ballot.

The proxy will not count it (see above).

The proxy will cast votes for the candidates you choose, and no others.

The person counting the ballots, for obvious reasons, is acting independently and doesn't have regular contact with either the Board or other OrigamiUSA volunteers. If you wish to communicate with them, it is better to contact OrigamiUSA directly.

We've used many different types of paper for the tree in past years. Thin art papers with long fibers are the best, but it depends on what you are folding. Generally kami or plain wrapping paper or things with prints should not be used. Tissue foil is okay and even some foil is good too, but more interesting textures and papers would be better than foil;also matte foil is better than shiny or glossy foil. if a model is too bright, it stands out too much and may not be accepted for use.

The tree goes up in November a few weeks before Thanksgiving so we really need all models by the beginning of October to make sure we have enough time to prepare them to be put on the tree.

The reason we don't open the folding session for beginner folders is because all of the models that go on the tree should be exhibition quality, meaning impeccably folded for presentation in a professional exhibition at the American museum of natural history. There is a certain quality control that goes with decorating a tree for this huge event which is a showcase for OrigamiUSA and also a way to strengthen our bond with the museum. (We get office space and admin support because of this relationship). it is also a huge tourist attraction during the holiday season; thousands of people see the tree and many come to the museum just for it. In fact, because of the quality control requirements, not all models submitted get placed on the tree.

Sorry, we can't send you copies of diagrams unless we have permission from the authors, but we can tell you what books that models are in and if you can join us for one of the folding sessions you can look at diagrams in person.

The OrigamiUSA Lending Library is a service for OrigamiUSA members that loans books of origami diagrams through U.S. Mail. While the Research Library can only be visited in person (see FAQ elsewhere on this page), members anywhere can access the Lending Library without leaving their home.

The collection consists primarily of out-of-print, English language books of origami diagrams. The collection also includes a small number of books in other languages, including Japanese, Spanish, and Italian.

The OrigamiUSA Lending Library site lists specific publications available for loan. However, it does not index the contents of those items. Instead, where possible, the Collection List links to Dennis Walker's Origami Database, or to scanned images of a book's Tables of Contents (TOC) and cover. You can the Origami Database to search for information on diagrams by name, designer, or publication.
Links to the Origami Database are used with permission. OrigamiUSA is not responsible for the accuracy of information in the Origami Database.

The Lending Library Service is available to OrigamiUSA members. The service is limited to members in North America. OrigamiUSA Membership must be current a minimum of 60 days past the due date of borrowed items. For information about membership in OrigamiUSA, click here.

The loan period for Lending Library books is one month. There are no renewals.

Your OrigamiUSA membership benefits include use of the Lending Library. No additional registration is necessary

The Lending Library uses a fixed fee structure to cover shipping and incidental expenses:

• 1 item: $ 7.50
• 2 items: $ 10.00
• 3 items: $ 12.00

These charges cover costs of postage, shipping materials, return postage, and delivery tracking and confirmation.

• The Lending Library website lists items in the collection.
• Use the request form on the website to select up to three books.
• Submitting the request form automatically e-mails your request to the Lending Library.
• The Lending Library will reply to your request via email within one week.
• The reply e-mail will confirm your selection(s), indicate shipping charges, and provide a direct link to PayPal for payment.
• Requests and payment by U.S. Mail are also possible, see "How can I borrow..." below.
• When your payment is received the books are mailed to you.
• Normally, shipment is via US Postal Service Media Mail. (Estimated shipping time = 10 days)
• Priority Mail is available on request for an additional $4.00 service charge.
• The mailed package includes a Due Date, pre-addressed return address envelope, and prepaid return postage.

PayPal is a secure, online payment service that processes web-based financial transactions.It is not necessary to be pre-registered with PayPal. Click here for more information: PayPal.

You can borrow from the collection using US mail. A list of available items and complete directions, including shipping charges, will be mailed to you on request. Please enclose $1.00 with your request, to cover postage. (U.S. Postage stamps accepted)

OrigamiUSA Lending Library
P.O. Box 82400
Phoenix, Arizona 85071-240

An Individual Membership for a US resident is $30. Check here to see the various levels of membership and the exciting benefits.

Basic Membership benefits include our quarterly magazine, The Paper, a 10% discount to our virtual store, The Origami Source and many other benefits – to see the full list check here.

Yes. Our membership covers a full range of folding ability from beginners to complex master folders. We truly have something for every level of folder.

A family membership is a group of 2 adults and up to 4 children 18 years of age or younger, who occupy the same residence.

To keep costs down we send our quarterly magazine The Paper by Bulk Mail. Where Bulk Mail is economical it is a slow trip to your mailbox. So for those that can’t wait to read the latest origami news you may want to include the additional cost for 1st Class Postage. First class postages is automatically included in the higher membership levels.

It takes our home office about two week to process and ship your Membership Welcome Package to you.

Inside the packet you will find a Membership Card, the latest issue of The Paper, a list and order form from The Origami Source and a letter from the Membership Chairman, welcoming you to our organization.

Yes. In the comment field on your order form, enter “new member verify with home office” and we’ll be sure that your discount is applied to your order.

While we enjoy our membership friends and welcome them to attend our various events, the home office is a small volunteer back office. This makes pop-in visits difficult, so we kindly request visitors to call and make an appointment. Please remember that the Home Office does not carry any origami supplies for sale nor origami books to lend. You will need to contact The Source directly to make any purchases or our Lending Library to barrow a book. If you would like to join any of our volunteer committees check out the list of all committees and we’ll be happy to have you.

We have our own virtual store, mail order only called The Origami Source. It is an excellent source for origami books and supplies recommended by our members. If you would like a free copy of the supplies list please send a self address business envelope with two(2) first class stamps to the address below or call or e-mail us.

For privacy reasons we are unable to give out member’s contact info. Don’t fret! If you have correspondence for a particular member we will forward it on to them so they may respond to you directly.

You can reach us by phone or fax:
Phone (212)769-5635, Fax (212)769-5668
Or by post:
OrigamiUSA
15 West 77th Street
New York, New York 10024-5192
Or via the Contact Form on this website.

Membership in OrigamiUSA includes a subscription to The Paper. More information about the organization, and how to join, is available here.

The Paper is the magazine of OrigamiUSA. It contains origami news, events, book reviews, articles by and about leaders in the Origami community, tips & techniques, and diagrams for everyone from beginners to experienced folders.

The Lillian Oppenheimer Research Library is a non-traveling collection housed at the Home Office and only available by direct appointment. The Lending Library consists of books that can be loaned out and is operated through the mails. See the Lending Library page for details.

The research library is located in the OrigamiUSA Home Office, in the American Museum of Natural History, in New York City.

The research library is a private library maintained for the use by members of OrigamiUSA.

You must contact the Home Office and make an appointment.

No; as the library is a research library, books must remain in the library.

No. The Home Office is a small space that has many OrigamiUSA activities ongoing, and therefore we cannot accommodate drop-in visits.

The goal of the Source is to provide a good selection of high-quality origami books, paper, and materials. We set prices so that the Source operates at a small profit, which goes back into supporting member activities. While we try to keep prices low, we unfortunately can't match the economies of scale of places like Amazon and Wal-Mart. If price is absolutely critical to you, by all means, buy your books elsewhere; but if you buy from OrigamiUSA, you'll not only get some great origami materials, but your purchase will also help promote this art to our members and to the world.

Special Sessions are classes held in the Fall and Spring, one Sunday per month for 3 consecutive months. There are 10 classes of varying skill levels offered on each day, 5 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Students may sign up for one class in the morning and one in the afternoon. They are a fundraiser for OrigamiUSA and are held in the American Museum of Natural History. All the teachers volunteer to teach at these events.

The Fall sessions are usually held in October, November, December (and sometimes January.) The Spring sessions are usually held in March, April and May. They are usually held on the 1st Sunday of the month. The morning session is from 10:30 – 12:30 and the afternoon session is from 2:30 – 5:00. Please check Special Sessions for the most current information.

No. Special Sessions are specific classes that you sign up for and pay for by the class. However, since there are 5 classes being taught concurrently it has the atmosphere of a small origami convention (about 40-50 people.) The classes are taught in 2- and 2.5-hour sessions and they tend to be smaller in class size than the Annual Convention, so it is more relaxed.

No, you do not have to be a member to attend, but there are price breaks that make it less expensive if you are a member. There are always some simple classes being taught at each session.

Go to the Special Sessions area of this website.

Go to the Special Sessions page. We have an on-line model menu that is updated as we get photos for the classes. If you do not see a photo for the class you are interested in, check back in a few days.

Contact the Special Sessions Team.

No. The material we display and/or link to is decided based solely on the Web Editor's judgment of its value to our membership.

Click on any of the RSS icons (orange icon) on the Web site and this will launch the RSS/XML feed page. Copy the URL of that page and paste it into your feed reader application, or subscribe directly to the RSS feed if you're using a Web browser such as Firefox or Safari.

Visit the main Contact Page here and then click on the Contact the online presence committee link; or go directly to the contact form here.