The Plan Drawer, Inc. (TPD) home plans are copyrighted. Like books, movies, and songs, TPD home plans are protected under Federal Copyright Law. Copyright Law prohibits anyone, other than TPD, from reproducing, modifying, or reusing home plan designs without written permission from TPD.

Do not copy TPD designs or floor plans from any publication, electronic media or built home. It is illegal to copy TPD home plans from a plan book, magazine, CD, or on the Internet. It is a mistake to believe that changing, redesigning, or redrawing any plan from a plan book or magazine is allowed. It is NOT. The right to modify TPD plans is held exclusively by TPD. It is also illegal to copy or redraw a home, even if you have never seen plans for the home. If you find a plan that you like, you must purchase the right to use the design from TPD or an authorized source.

Do not use plans to build more than one house. The original purchaser of a TPD multiple-set home plan package is licensed to build a single home from the plans. Building more than one home from the plans without permission is an infringement of TPD’s copyright. The purchase of additional sets of plans does not grant the right to construct more than one home. Purchase of home plans in newer formats, such as PDFs, or CAD files, also grants the buyer the right to build a single home, unless license to build more than one home is specifically included by TPD with the purchase.

House plan blueprints or blacklines cannot be copied or reproduced. Home plans cannot be copied or reproduced with written permission from TPD. If additional sets are required for estimating or construction, please contact TPD to purchase additional sets, or to obtain a letter of permission to make additional copies. It is illegal for copy shops to make copies of home designs by Federal Copyright Law without written permission from TPD.

Reproducible home plans. Reproducible plans (CAD files, PDF files, and vellums) include a license to make modifications to the plans. The license includes permission to make up to 10 sets of the home plans. Only one home can be constructed from the purchase of a reproducible plan license, either in original form or as modified.

Modified designs cannot be reused. Even if you are licensed to make modifications to a TPD plan, the modified design remains protected by TPD’s original copyright. Sale or reuse of the modified design is prohibited. In addition, modifications to plans releases TPD from any liability for design defects and voids all warranties, expressed or implied.

Who is responsible for copyright infringement? Any party who participates in a copyright infringement may be responsible including the purchaser, designers, architects, engineers, drafters, homeowners, builders, contractors, subcontractors, copy shops, developers, and real estate agencies. It does not matter whether or not the individual knows that a violation has occurred. Ignorance of Copyright Law is not a valid defense. Refuse to participate in illegal copying or use of TPD designs or the creation of derivative designs or homes.

Penalties for home design copyright infringement can be huge. Parties found liable may be required to pay actual damages caused by infringement, along with profits from the sale of any home built from an infringing design. Copyright Law also allows for statutory damages of up to $150,000 per home built from an infringed plan, plus TPD’s legal fees, which can exceed damages.

Please respect home design copyrights. If you suspect that a violation of TPD’s copyrights has occurred, of if there is any uncertainty about the plans purchased, please contact TPD before proceeding. A reward may be offered for information about home design copyright infringement.