I understand.......

When I first started quilting:  early days of internet...I couldn't pass up a quilt shop.  I was buying patterns w/ stars and "fancy square blocks".  What I don't understand....All these blocks are now on the internet and if someone puts together a 12 star block quilt.....Is it really theirs?  I don't have an answer for that.  So, if I want to start creating patterns:  Can I just make them on the computer....color them and sell them w/ my name on them?