Copyright Agreement
Ownership & Authorship
All architectural plans, drawings, specifications, renderings, and related design materials produced or sold by Dwelcore Home Plans are the intellectual property of Dwelcore Home Plans. Dwelcore Home Plans is recognized as the author of these works and retains all copyrights and ownership rights under U.S. Copyright Law.
License for Use
When you purchase a home plan from Dwelcore Home Plans, you are granted a limited, non-transferable license to use that plan for the construction of one (1) residential structure at a single location, unless an expanded license is purchased in advance.
Any additional use—including reuse, resale, redistribution, reproduction, modification, or construction at another location—requires prior written approval and additional licensing fees.
Unauthorized Use
Any use of Dwelcore Home Plans’ materials beyond the scope of the granted license—without advance payment and written permission—constitutes copyright infringement. Unauthorized use may result in additional charges, including fees that may exceed standard licensing costs, and may involve recovery of legal expenses as permitted by law.
Custody of Original Documents
Dwelcore Home Plans retains custody of all original design files and source documents. Clients and builders are permitted to retain copies of purchased plans solely for reference related to the licensed construction.
Marketing & Promotion
Dwelcore Home Plans reserves the right to use photographs, renderings, or visual representations of its architectural designs for marketing, portfolio display, and promotional purposes, regardless of whether the design is ultimately constructed.
Applicability
This copyright and licensing agreement remains in effect whether or not the home plan is built.
Important Copyright Information
What You Should Know About Home Plan Copyrights
All home plans advertised or sold by Dwelcore Home Plans, whether online or in print, are protected by the United States Copyright Act. These protections prohibit copying, reproducing, distributing, modifying, redrawing, or creating derivative works from our plans—in whole or in part—without prior written consent.
Purchasing a set of plans does not transfer ownership of the design. It grants only a limited license to build one home as specified.
Reproducible & CAD Plans
Plans provided in reproducible or CAD formats are subject to the same copyright protections. While these formats may allow copying for construction-related use at one approved location, they do not grant the right to sell, distribute, or share the plans with others. Removal of the designer’s name or branding from the plans is strictly prohibited.
Prohibited Actions
Copying plans from books, websites, digital media, or existing homes
Redrawing or modifying plans without written authorization
Reusing or reselling modified designs
Photocopying plans without proper licensing
Constructing the same plan at multiple locations without an extended license
Even modified plans remain protected as derivative works and may not be reused or sold.
Plan Modifications
Minor, non-structural changes may be noted directly on purchased plans (“redlining”) for personal use. Major revisions or redraws must be handled through Dwelcore Home Plans’ modification services. Any modification voids design warranties and releases Dwelcore Home Plans from liability related to altered elements.
Responsibility for Compliance
Any individual or entity involved in unauthorized use—including homeowners, builders, architects, designers, drafters, contractors, developers, printers, or real estate professionals—may be held liable for copyright violations. Lack of knowledge does not exempt responsibility.
Respecting Design Rights
Copyright protection exists to safeguard the creative work of designers and ensure fairness across the building industry. If there is uncertainty regarding plan usage or licensing, please contact Dwelcore Home Plans before proceeding.
Penalties for Infringement
Violations of copyright law may result in significant penalties, including:
Recovery of actual damages
Payment of profits gained from infringement
Statutory damages of up to $150,000 per violation
Responsibility for legal and attorney fees