{"id":14705,"date":"2018-10-19T14:33:42","date_gmt":"2018-10-19T13:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/?p=14705"},"modified":"2023-02-07T14:49:18","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T14:49:18","slug":"copyright-architects-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/copyright-architects-drawings","title":{"rendered":"Copyright architectural drawings: how architects can protect intellectual property"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Theft. It\u2019s a problem for businesses, big or small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And no, it\u2019s not your fine liners or your paper clips we\u2019re talking about. It\u2019s something much more valuable \u2013 your intellectual property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For architects, intellectual property theft\u2019s a big risk. Especially at pitch time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitch perfect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say you\u2019ve spent hours thinking about how an existing building could work better. You come up with an amazing idea. You pitch it to the building\u2019s owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And from the smiling faces around the boardroom table, it looks like you\u2019re getting the green light. That project\u2019s coming home. Or, so you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But weeks go by and the phone doesn\u2019t ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then you hear through grapevine, the building\u2019s being redeveloped. Using your plans. Only you\u2019re not the architect on the project. A competitor is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a double whammy. You didn\u2019t get the job and<\/em> your great idea\u2019s been nicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make it worse, when it\u2019s finished, the redesigned building\u2019s a concrete reminder of the value of your idea. Because it now works. Brilliantly.  And you didn\u2019t get the credit. Or the fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how can architects protect their intellectual property (IP)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is intellectual property?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s be clear what counts as intellectual property. It\u2019s something unique. That you, physically, create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An idea alone is not IP. So, the idea for a book doesn\u2019t count. The words you\u2019ve written, do. For architects, your design idea\u2019s not your intellectual property. Your plans, drawings \u2013 even simple sketches \u2013 are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some things you can do to stop it being stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record the evidence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a log. Record the development of your ideas and the processes followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date and sign your work and any copies of sketches, drafts and plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn\u2019t just help you prove ownership, it means you can defend yourself from IP theft claims made by other architects.  If your designs are similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep it confidential<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark pitch documents confidential. Make it absolutely clear these cannot be passed on to any other parties. And that you own the IP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add a copyright notice to the docs, too. Copyright\u2019s automatic in the UK. It\u2019s given to all original, artistic creations which are the result of intellectual effort, skill, or creative talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have staff, or work with consultants, make sure their contracts state that you own any intellectual property they develop for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terms of engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you win the project, spell out what the client can do with your plans. For example,<\/p>\n\n\n\n