Discussion:
What is the name of your state? Georgia
I was a consultant for a home builder. I drew home plans for them. They had the right to use them while I was there but I had registered the plans with FHA before they used them. SInce they terminated our agreement What do I need to do to stop them from further use?
Thanks.
Answer:
In general, architectural plans are copyrightable -- did you register your copyright in these blueprints?
I was a consultant for a home builder. I drew home plans for them. SInce they terminated our agreement What do I need to do to stop them from further use? What did you "agreement" with them say concerning their use, and the end of any contract?
Answer:
I did not copyright them, but registered them with FHA/VA as a registered draftsman with them. The contract I have doesn't state anything about the ending of the contract as per items I drew for them etc. Just that I would provide drafting services while I was under contract. But even that was toward the "revising" of plans it doesn't say I would provide them with plans from "scratch" and that they owned them or anything of that nature. Can I copy right the plans now? Is the registration with FHA a help?
Thanks.
Answer:
I don;t know what the FHA/VA registration will get you -- maybe you should talk with them to find out what, if any, protections that provides you.
Can I copy right the plans now? Yes.
contract I have doesn't state anything about the ending of the contract as per items I drew for them etc. Just that I would provide drafting services while I was under contract. But even that was toward the "revising" of plans it doesn't say I would provide them with plans from "scratch" and that they owned them or anything of that nature. Well, if the contract is silent, it doesn't really help much. Why are you concerned about their use of the plans -- did they not pay you for your work?
Answer:
They owe me money and other conpensation that was agreed to but they have the only copy of the contract. Taken from my briefcase while they held it for 3 days and I had to get police involved to retain it. But I have witnesses that were there in meetings when they asked me to defer my payments on home closings till January because of cash flow problems.