Copyright

House Plans Are Copyrighted

Just like books, movies, and songs, federal copyright law protects the intellectual property of architects and home designers by giving copyright protection to house plans and designs. These legal protections exist to protect all parties. The copyright law prevents anyone from reproducing, modifying or reusing the plans or design without written permission from the copyright owner.

Don't Copy Designs or Floor Plans From Any Publication, Electronic Media or Existing Home

It is illegal to create construction drawings from home designs found in any plan book, CD-ROM or on the internet. 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 copy 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.

Reproducible House Plans

Reproducible plans come with a license to copy, as well as to make modifications to the plans, for the purchasers own use. Once modified, the plans can be taken to a printer to make copies. This license does not include the right to sell or distribute copies to others.

Plans and Blueprints Cannot Be Copied or Reproduced

Plans and blueprints cannot be copied. If additional sets are required, please contact us to purchase additional sets (within thirty (30) days of original purchase) at a nominal cost. Printers are prohibited from making copies of these plans.

Don't Redraw Blueprints Without Permission

Plans may not be redrawn or modified without first obtaining the copyright owner's written permission. With your purchase of plans, you are permitted to make non-structural changes by "red-lining" the purchased plans. "Redlined" plans are still copyrighted and cannot be copied. If you need to make major changes or need to have the plans redrawn for any reason you may contact our office for modification services.

Modified Designs Cannot Be Reused

Even if you are licensed to make modifications to a copyrighted 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.

Please Respect The Designers Copyrights

In the event of a suspected violation of a copyright, or if there is any uncertainty about the plans purchased, HPA Design, Inc. should be contacted before proceeding.

Penalties For Infringement

Penalties for violating copyright 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.