House Plans Are Copyrighted
Just like books, movies and songs, federal copyright laws protect the
intellectual property of architects and home
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.
Do Not
Use Plans To Build More Than One House
All house 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 designer, Gerald Fournier.
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
Home Designs by Gerald Fournier
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 staff of 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.
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 have 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, and the Council of Publishing Home
Designers before proceeding. Should you
discover a copyright violation of a Gerald Fournier Home Designs house plan,
please
contact us immediately.
Penalties For Infringement
Penalties for violating a copyright may be severe. The responsible parties are
required to pay for the home designer
or architects actual damages (which may be substantial), plus any profits
made. The copyright law also allows the
home designer or architect to recover statutory damages, which may be required
to pay the architect or home designer's
reasonable legal fees, which often exceed the damages.

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