Copyright Information

What you should know...

All plans displayed herein are protected by The United States Copyright Act. Reproduction of these plans, either in whole or in part, including any form of copying, distribution, dissemination, preparation, of derivative works therefrom, for any reason without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited.

The law has been reinforced over the past few years. Willful infringement could cause settlements for statutory damages up to $150,000 plus attorney fees, damages and loss of profits.

It is a common misunderstanding that it is permissible to copy, adapt or change a floor plan or design found in any media. It is not. It is also illegal to reproduce a constructed home that is protected by copyright, even if you have never seen the plan for the home. If a particular home plan or existing home is desired, a set of plans must be purchased from an authorized source.

DON'T REDRAW BLUEPRINTS WITHOUT PERMISSION

Plans may not be redrawn or modified without first obtaining the owner's written permission.

MODIFIED DESIGNS CANNOT BE REUSED

Even if you are licensed to make modifications to a protected design, the modified design is not free from the original designer's copyright. This is considered derivative work. The sale or reuse of the modified design is prohibited. Also, be aware that any modification to the plan relieves the designer from liability for design defects and voids all warranties expressed or implied.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFRINGEMENT?

Any party who participates in violation may be responsible, including the purchaser, designers, architects, engineers, drafters, homeowners, builders, contractors, subcontractors, printers, developers and real estate agencies. It does not matter whether the individual knows that a violation is being committed.

Remember: ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Refuse to be a party to any illegal reproduction or use of designs, derivative works, prints or design features by being certain of the original plan source.

PLEASE RESPECT THE DESIGNER'S PROPERTY

In the event of a suspected violation, or if there is any uncertainty about the plans purchased, the publisher, designer or Council of Publishing Home Designers should be contacted before proceeding.

PENALTIES FOR INFRINGEMENT

Penalties may be severe. The responsible parties are required to pay actual damages caused by the infringement (which may be substantial), plus any profits made by the infringer. The copyright law also allows for recovery of statutory damages, which may be as high as $150,000 for each infringement. Finally, the infringer may be required to pay legal fees, which often exceed the damages.