Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act

Copyright protection can extend to drawings, sketches and blueprints, preliminary plans, elevations, floor plans, construction plans, models in rough stage, support models, pictorials or digital-generated images of a design, and constructed buildings. Designs need not be capable of construction to be protected.

For protection as an "architectural work" under 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(8) (and not a "pictorial, graphic or sculptural work" found under 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(5)), the work must be a building design. Copyright office defines buildings as "humanly habitable structures that are intended to be both permanent and stationary, such as houses and office buildings, and other permanent and stationary structures designed for human occupancy, including but not limited to churches, museums, gazebos and garden pavilions." Items without protection are "structures other than buildings such as bridges, cloverleafs, dams, walkways, tents, recreational vehicles, mobile homes and boats."

Copyright Protection Requirements in an Architectural Design

Protection is available only for those works created on or after December 1, 1990. This means that a building cannot have been substantially completed before December 1, 1990, nor can a work have been published before that date.

To solidify your architectural plan, you should apply online for a copyright; our lawyers can assist you with that process. If you have suffered an infringement on your copyright, the copyright laws allow for damages and attorney's fees if you have registered your copyright. The lawyers at Willis Law can assist you in protecting your plans or prosecuting those who have copied your plans. Willis Law's architectural works litigators can assist you in any copyright lawsuit whether you are an architect accused of copying or who has fallen victim to someone using your plans or designs.

Contact Our Kalamazoo Construction Lawyers

Call today at (888) 461-7744 or contact our Michigan law firm online to set up a free consultation with one of our architectural copyright trial lawyers.

Michael Willis is the contributing author for this content.