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ARTICLE · 23 MAY 2011

Copyright Issues for Home Designs

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"Copyright" is a property right recognised in Australian law as a part of what are known as "intellectual property rights". Copyright applies particularly to architectural plans and building.

AustraliaIntellectual Property
Tony Raunic
Tony Raunic
Kelly Deakin
Kelly Deakin
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"Copyright" is a property right recognised in Australian law as a part of what are known as "intellectual property rights". Copyright applies particularly to architectural plans and building.

Following previous successful copyright actions against Metricon Homes and Carlisle Homes, Porter Davis Homes has now had a third copyright victory against another builder, Dennis Family Homes.

Porter Davis Homes issued proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Dennis Family Homes alleging that Dennis Family Homes had infringed the copyright by copying the "alfresco quadrant" feature of the Porter Davis Homes design. That is, the combination of a rumpus, family, kitchen and meals areas around the alfresco, all under a single roof-line.

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