2024-05-09T22:52:31-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150420873/smithgroup-files-suit-over-copyright-violations-for-michigan-hospital-design Josh Niland 2024-03-19T18:24:00-04:00 >2024-03-21T17:06:48-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/8b/8b68bad28d86ff43935a0b6d6ba0537b.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>An argument concerning a new pediatric hospital design in <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/212268/grand-rapids" target="_blank">Grand Rapids</a>, Michigan, has spurred a lawsuit from <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/67683/smithgroup" target="_blank">SmithGroup</a> against the local firm <a href="https://archinect.com/purearchitects" target="_blank">Pure Architects</a> over an alleged violation of the copyright of an earlier unrealized project. <a href="https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/architecture-firm-sues-mary-free-bed-pure-architects-over-pediatric-hospital-designs/" target="_blank">Crain&rsquo;s</a> business journal is reporting on the disputed Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital project after SmithGroup filed a suit in federal court last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the suit, SmithGroup alleges that the termination of their contract for the new Joan Secchia Children&rsquo;s Rehabilitation Hospital never resulted in the required payment of licensing and other fees on the part of the hospital. They say that, in the aftermath, the hospital &ldquo;improperly copied, reproduced, prepared derivative works&rdquo; before sharing the plans with other architects, &ldquo;willfully&rdquo; infringing the copyright to generate new renderings.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both the firm and the hospital are denying these claims publically. The $60 million project is expected to get underway this spring and be completed in 2026...</p>