License & Copyright Information

License Information

• License Agreements

  The License Agreement defines the terms and conditions of the licenses Frank Betz Associates, Inc. issues granting permission to use our house plans and other products that are available for purchase. Customer's acceptance and use of the Licensed Plan constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

• Reproducible or CAD Purchase

  The license grants the purchaser a non-exclusive, non-transferable multi-use license to construct an unlimited number of homes from the plans purchased. The license to construct homes from these plans is granted to the original purchaser only and may not be transferred, assigned, or sub-licensed to any other party. You may reproduce or modify these plans for your construction purposes only. Copies may not be licensed, sold or given to anyone else.

• Blackline Purchase

  The license grants the purchaser a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to construct one home from the plan purchased. The license to construct a home from these plans is granted to the original purchaser only and may not be transferred, assigned, or sub-licensed to any other party. Any reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. If you require additional copies please contact our office within 30 days of the purchase.

• Artwork Purchase

  The artwork material is intended for the preparation of marketing materials only. You may reproduce or modify this artwork for your own advertising purposes. The purchase of this artwork does not include a license to construct a home and is strictly prohibited, please contact our office to obtain the necessary license.

• Material Workbook Purchase

  The information provided in a material workbook is to be used for estimating the cost of construction. The purchase of this material workbook does not include a license to construct a home and is strictly prohibited, please contact our office to obtain the necessary license.

• Restrictions

  All Frank Betz Associates, Inc. plans are protected under United States copyright law. To comply with U.S. copyright laws any use of the plans must be specifically authorized by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This includes construction, distribution and marketing, copying or modifying the plan. All Frank Betz Associates, Inc. copyright and title information must remain on all prints, reproducible, electronic, and sales media. Frank Betz Associates, Inc. must be recognized as the original designer of the plan or any derivative work there from.

  The use of our products for marketing is strictly limited to promoting the sale of a single individual home constructed from the plans. Any other means of marketing is prohibited. The Frank Betz Associates' name and logo are trademarks of Frank Betz Associates Inc. Any use without permission is prohibited.

  There are no warranties made by Frank Betz Associates, Inc., either express or implied, other than a warranty of title. Frank Betz Associates, Inc. specifically disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

  Any violation of any of the terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Agreement shall cause the license to be immediately revoked of its own accord and without notice from Frank Betz Associates, Inc.

Copyright Information

• Important Copyright Notice

  All plans sold through our publications are protected by The United States Copyright Act. Reproduction of these plans, either in whole or in part, including any form of copying, distribution, dissemination, preparation, of derivative works therefrom, for any reason without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited. The purchase of a set of house plans in no way transfers any copyright or other ownership interest in it to the buyer except for a limited license to use that set of house plans for the construction of a dwelling unit.

  Similarly, the purchase of reproducible house plans (vellums, sepias, mylars) carries the same copyright protection as stated above. Whereas a purchaser of the reproducible plan is granted a license to make copies for the purchaser's use in the construction of dwelling units, making photocopies from our bond drawings is illegal.

  Copyright and licensing of house plans for construction exists to protect all parties. It respects and supports the intellectual property of the original architect or designer.

  Copyright law has been reinforced over the past few years. Willful infringement could cause settlements for statutory damages up to $150,000 plus attorney fees, damages and loss of profits.

• House Plans Are Copyrighted

  Just like books, movies, and songs, federal copyright law protects the intellectual property of architects and home designers by giving copyright protection to house plans and designs. These legal protections exist to protect all parties. The copyright law prevents anyone from reproducing, modifying or reusing the plans or design without written permission from the copyright owner.

• Don't Copy Designs Or Floor Plans From Any Publication, Electronic Media Or Existing Home

  It is illegal to create construction drawings from home designs found in any plan book, CD-ROM or on the internet. It is a common misunderstanding that it is permissible to copy, adapt or change a floor plan or design found in any media. It is not. It is also illegal to copy a constructed home that is protected by copyright, even if you have never seen the plan for the home. If a particular home plan or existing home is desired, a set of plans must be purchased from an authorized source.

• Reproducible House Plans

  Reproducible plans come with a license to copy, as well as to make modifications to the plans, for the purchasers own use. Once modified, the plans can be taken to a printer to make copies. This license does not include the right to sell or distribute copies to others.

• Plans And Blueprints Cannot Be Copied Or Reproduced

  Plans and blueprints cannot be copied. If additional sets are required, please contact us to purchase additional sets (within thirty (30) days of original purchase) at a nominal cost. Printers are prohibited from making copies of these plans.

• Don't Redraw Blueprints Without Permission

  Plans may not be redrawn or modified without first obtaining the copyright owner's written permission. With your purchase of plans, you are permitted to make non-structural changes by "red-lining" the purchased plans. "Redlined" plans are still copyrighted and cannot be copied. If you need to make major changes or need to have the plans redrawn for any reason you may contact our office for modification services.

• Modified Designs Cannot Be Reused

  Even if you are licensed to make modifications to a copyrighted design, the modified design is not free from the original designer's copyright. This is considered derivative work. The sale or reuse of the modified design is prohibited. Also, be aware that any modification to the plan relieves the designer from liability for design defects and voids all warranties expressed or implied.

• Who Is Responsible For Copyright Infringement?

  Any party who participates in copyright violation may be responsible, including the purchaser, designers, architects, engineers, drafters, homeowners, builders, contractors, subcontractors, printers, developers and real estate agencies. It does not matter whether the individual knows that a violation is being committed. Remember: ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Refuse to be a party to any illegal copying or use of designs, derivative works, prints or design features by being certain of the original plan source.

• Please Respect The Designers Copyrights

  In the event of a suspected violation of a copyright, or if there is any uncertainty about the plans purchased, Frank Betz Associates, Inc. should be contacted before proceeding.

• Penalties For Infringement

  Penalties for violating copyright may be severe. The responsible parties are required to pay actual damages caused by the infringement (which may be substantial), plus any profits made by the infringer. The copyright law also allows for recovery of statutory damages, which may be as high as $150,000 for each infringement. Finally, the infringer may be required to pay legal fees, which often exceed the damages.