How much do I have to modify my Brittany tartan inspired design? thread count?

[northman]

Hi there, I'm new to kilts, but already fascinated by them, so much so that i'm seriously considering designing my own tartan. I don't know if i'll get it registered, but I expect I will....I wonder though, I was reading some of the literature that accompanies registration requirements and one of the things mentioned was that any newly submitted tartan is studied closely to see that it doesn't too closely match a tartan already on the books. How different does a tartan have to be in order to be considered distinct? My design so far is a modification of the national brittany tartan. I've changed 2 colours and added a third, but the pattern itself is identical to the brittany tartan....if they were compared as black and white photos they would look the same. I plan on thickening a line or two, but not too much else. I don't want to steal anything, but my last name is originally breton, I want the breton tartan patterns influence to be apparent. As I understand it, lots of tartans are modifications of existing ones...but how much a modification it has to be, I don't know....any advice there? also, I'm a little miffed that I can't find any sites that offer free thread count codes...i'm glad I found a close up of the brittany tartan and am able to count the threads , but I almost went blind doing it, and i'm not entirely sure I got it absolutely, out of curiosity does anyone happen to have the sett code? thanks very much Mark

[Chas]

Hi Mark,

I would consult these people, the Scottish Register of Tartans:

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/

They are after all, in charge.

Welcome to Xmarks.

Regards

Chas