How to Copyright Architectural Designs

If you are in the architectural design business or come up with an architectural design, it's important that you copyright your work. If you do not copyright your designs, you could lose the rights to your work without any legal recourse. By following a few steps, you can successfully copyright your architectural designs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make a tangible model of your architectural designs. To successfully copyright an architectural design, it has to be something tangible and not just an idea. Ideas, when it comes to architectural designs, aren't protected under copyright laws. A tangible model can be defined as a sketch of the architectural designs, an architectural blueprint or an actual building.
2. Contact an attorney that specializes in copyrighting. The architectural designs copyright rules can be very confusing and complex. Having an attorney on hand to walk you through the steps and to make sure you are fully protected under copyright law is the safest way to proceed. You can find a copyright attorney in your area at the FindLaw website (see Resources below) by searching through their directory of attorneys.
3. Register with the United States Copyright Office. To do so, you need to send them three things. The first thing they need is a completed "Form VA." You can download and print a "Form VA" from their website (see Resources below). The second thing you need to send them is a reproduction of what you want to be copyrighted. The third thing they need is a registration fee. Enclose each of these three items in an envelope and send it to the specified address on the United States Copyright Office website.