I donated my time to create a basic set of construction documents for a local non-profit that builds houses. They are unstamped, although I do have my license. The municipality in which the house is being built does not require stamped drawings for this particular sized single family house.
Where it gets complicated is that a member of the public asked this non profit for a copy of the drawings so that they could build a similar house on their own, not affiliated with the non-profit.
My question is three-fold:
1. Who technically owns the original drawings? They were never stamped, and they were donated to the non-profit. Is it up to the non-profit if they want to give a copy to a member of the public?
2. What liability do I take on if I give permission to the non-profit to hand a copy of the drawings over to the private citizen?
3. Moving forward, is it better to stamp and put the standard fine print on these drawings, rather than hand over a "casual" set of drawings?
You need to talk to your professional association. That's the only relevant answer, since it depends so much on where you are.
If you were in my vicinity, those drawings would have to be stamped, for example, for whatever stupid reason. But typically you would own the copyright to those drawings, so you get to decide who gets to use them (or not).
Aug 31, 24 6:32 pm ·
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Wilma Buttfit
professional association? AIA? I don't think they can help.
What does your contract say? Mine says I own the drawings and they cannot be used for other projects. Where I live, you have to stamp drawings if you are licensed whether or not the municipality requires it. A lot of states are the same. Check your state laws.
Sep 1, 24 9:37 am ·
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Question about pro-bono drawings and liability
I donated my time to create a basic set of construction documents for a local non-profit that builds houses. They are unstamped, although I do have my license. The municipality in which the house is being built does not require stamped drawings for this particular sized single family house.
Where it gets complicated is that a member of the public asked this non profit for a copy of the drawings so that they could build a similar house on their own, not affiliated with the non-profit.
My question is three-fold:
1. Who technically owns the original drawings? They were never stamped, and they were donated to the non-profit. Is it up to the non-profit if they want to give a copy to a member of the public?
2. What liability do I take on if I give permission to the non-profit to hand a copy of the drawings over to the private citizen?
3. Moving forward, is it better to stamp and put the standard fine print on these drawings, rather than hand over a "casual" set of drawings?
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
You own the product. You take on all of the liability. I’ll stamp everything that is constructed, regardless.
You need to talk to your professional association. That's the only relevant answer, since it depends so much on where you are.
If you were in my vicinity, those drawings would have to be stamped, for example, for whatever stupid reason. But typically you would own the copyright to those drawings, so you get to decide who gets to use them (or not).
professional association? AIA? I don't think they can help.
What does your contract say? Mine says I own the drawings and they cannot be used for other projects. Where I live, you have to stamp drawings if you are licensed whether or not the municipality requires it. A lot of states are the same. Check your state laws.
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