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- Home
Plans Are Copyrighted
Just like books, movies and songs, federal copyright laws protect
the intellectual property of
designers.
These legal protections exist to protect all parties.
Copyright laws respect & support the intellectual property of the
original architect or designer, and prevent anyone
from using the design without written permission.
- Don't
Use Plans To Build More Than One House
All home plans include a copyright release and a license to use the
documents to construct a single home. When
you purchase construction documents, we, as licensor, are granting
to you, as licensee, the right to use the documents
to construct a single unit. This is an exclusive license, which may
not be resold, duplicated, published or distributed
without written permission of the home designers.
- Reproducing
Blueprints
Construction blueprints may not be reproduced without prior written
consent of the home designer or publisher. If
additional sets are required for estimating or construction, please
contact 2 Levels up at 713 802 0439
to purchase these sets. Copy shops and blueprinters are prohibited
from making copies of these copyrighted documents.
- Making
Design Modifications
As a plan licensee, you may customize the design to fit your
personal preferences. Our designers are always available
to work with you and create a home design with your personal touch.
Modified plans are considered "derivative works" of
the original and it is crucial that you understand that these
"derivative works" as well as the original work, still
retain copyright
protection. No "derivative work" or revised design, even
if completely redrawn, may be sold, duplicated, distributed or used
to construct any units without the purchase of a license from the
publisher, architect or home designer.
- Do
Not Copy Designs/Floor Plans From Any Magazine, Book, Electronic
Medium or Existing Home
It is illegal to copy home designs found in any plan book, on a
CD-Rom or on the internet. It is a common misunderstanding
that it is permissible to copy, adapt or change a floor plan or a
design found in a magazine. It is not! It is also illegal to copy
any existing home that may have been built, that is protected by
copyright, even if you have never seen the plans for the
home. If a particular home plan or existing home is desired, a set
of plans must be purchased from the publisher,
home designer or architect.
- Using
The Home Plans
As a plan licensee, you may lend the home plans to third parties
(builders, contractors, sub-contractors, inspectors,
governmental agencies, etc.) as necessary to assist in the
construction of the dwelling involved. All such lent plans must
be retrieved and destroyed, except for the owner's reference sets,
and those sets required by governmental agencies,
after such assistance has been completed.
- Who
Is Responsible For Copyright Infringement?
All parties, including the purchasers, designers, drafters,
homeowners, builders, contractors, sub-contractors, copy shops,
and blueprinters may be responsible if a copyright is violated. It
does not matter if an individual knows that a violation is
being committed. You've heard it before; ignorance of the law is not
a valid defense! To avoid legal complications and
damages, it is critical that you be certain of the original plan
source and refuse to be a party to any illicit copying or
borrowing of designs, derivative works, prints and design features.
- Please
Respect Home Design Copyrights
In the event of any suspected violation of a copyright, or any
uncertainty about the plans purchased, you should contact
the publisher, home designer or architect, please
contact 2 Levels up at 713 802 0439 before proceeding.
- Penalties
For Infringement
Penalties for violating a copyright may be severe. The responsible
parties are required to pay for the home designer
actual damages (which may be substantial), plus any
profits made. The copyright law also allows the
home designer to recover statutory damages, which may
be required to pay the home designer's
reasonable legal fees, which often exceed the damages.
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