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Architectural & Blueprint Copyright Law
Copyright lawyer Dana LeJune has over 35 years of experience in architectural and blueprint copyright law. He understands how to help architects and architectural firms protect their designs from unauthorized use.
Protecting Architects From Copyright Infringement
We offer High-Caliber, Affordable Representation.
Dana LeJune has significant experience proving the elements of architectural and blueprint copyright infringement. He knows the process from beginning to end, because he has been through it and succeeded so many times.
An architectural or blueprint copyright is violated when someone copies or distributes blueprints or builds a structure using a copyrighted design without the permission of the copyright owner.
As with all types of copyrights, to prove architectural copyright infringement a copyright owner must establish proof of ownership and proof of copying. Copying may be proved by direct evidence or by indirect evidence that shows the infringer had access to the original work and the new creation is substantially similar to the copyrighted work.
What is Protected by Architectural Copyright Law?
While architectural works have always been subject to copyright protection, the plan designer/architect’s recoverable damages were codified by Congress on December 1, 1990.
U.S. copyright law defines “architectural work” as “the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings.”
Protection under the Copyright Act extends to the overall form of the design as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design.
The term “building” means structures that are habitable by humans and intended to be permanent and stationary, such as houses and office buildings and other structures, including museums, churches, gazebos and garden pavilions.
Ineligible Building Designs
Some designs are not protected by architectural copyright law:
- Structures other than buildings, such as bridges, cloverleafs, dams, walkways, tents, recreational vehicles, mobile homes and boats
- Standard features, such as windows, doors and other staple building components, as well as functional elements whose design or placement is dictated by utilitarian concerns
Nationwide Copyright Infringement Lawyer You Can Trust!
At LeJune Law Firm, you meet directly, every time, with the over-35-year-experienced, board certified trial lawyer you hired. The firm pledges to provide effective legal services promptly and efficiently, while always maintaining the highest ethical standards and professional integrity.
Because jurisdiction of copyright cases is exclusive to federal court, even though the LeJune Law Firm is based in Houston, Texas, you can avail yourself of Dana LeJune’s litigation acumen regardless of where you are, and regardless of where the case must be filed. Additionally, because you do not pay any fees until and unless there is money recovered (by settlement or verdict), the contingent fee arrangement is almost always more cost-effective for the client.
Contact LeJune Law Firm online or at 713-942-9898.
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About LeJune Law Firm
LeJune Law Firm is a national leader in protecting the creative works of architects, photographers, illustrators, musicians/songwriters and authors.