Staying out of (legal) trouble

[GeertDC]

Hello,

 

I found my dream-home on an on-line home plan web site.

 

Check out http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/styles/victorian-house-plans-and-homes/hwepl14165.html

 

The question is, can I legally make 3D renderings of home plans found on sites like this ?

 

The plans are usually copyrighted and I do understand that if I ever want the build this home I will need to buy the plans. Building this particular home, unless I win big on the lottery, is not going to happen anytime soon.

 

But I do like to sharpen my HD skills by trying to render this quite elaborate design as accurately as possible. Just don't want to get sued doing it.

 

I'm not an architect or a builder. And I'm not a lawyer either. Making 3D renderings is just a hobby of mine.

 

Any advise ?

 

Thanks

[Kbird1]

Personally I don't think I'd be worried especially by the time you incorporate all your own ideas etc , it will be your own plan....

and unless you plan posting stuff all over the internet claiming it's your Plan/design who will know ? Besides I am sure you

aren't the only one "borrowing ideas" from that or other websites all the time. 

 

It's not as though every Architect in history hasn't used ideas of others since time immemorial , the house wouldn't be "Victorian style" otherwise....

 

 

Of course this is a personally opinion, and someone with legal expertise may weigh in too....

 

But there is a lot of info online too:  google architectural plans copyright

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_in_architecture_in_the_United_States

 

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDcQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.copyright.gov%2Fcircs%2Fcirc41.pdf&ei=VbkMVM2KHuKrigKf2YGQCw&usg=AFQjCNHz1uoFgE6cxzcQJdsQPIFHfBnGkw

 

 

http://www.archdaily.com/328870/the-10-things-you-must-know-about-architectural-copyrights/

[DavidJPotter]

The ethical thing to do is to buy the plan and then you have a legal right to edit the results to fit your needs. If you really like it then properly exchange with the author is my advice and leave dishonesty to criminals.

 

DJP

[Kbird1]

This would/could be an endless debate and you now have an Architect's (David)  point of view too , so it will depend on your personal ethics and what you ultimately want to do with the Plans you drew , of course if you pay the $2500 as David suggests I would assume you'll get 3D renders too , so your "hobby" will likely need no further "work".

 

Of course you live in the US and Lawyers are a much bigger deal there as litigation seems to be a way of life for many.

 

M.

[GeertDC]

Thanks guys.

 

I think I'll stick with David's advise.

Which is, limit my hobby to rendering my own house and anything I can "dream up" myself.