Who owns an architect's drawings, by statute and appointment
13 rules on who owns an architect's drawings and models and what a client's licence covers, each quoted from the statute or the appointment's publisher, read 28 October 2026.
Where the rule comes from
What it settles
The rule in its own words
Each provision, answer by answer
Each row is one provision. Click an answer to see the sentence behind it, quoted from the text with the date we read it. Where it says "not stated", the text we read is silent on that question.
| Provision | Where the rule comes from | What it settles | The rule in its own words |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 U.S.C. 101, architectural work | a US statute or the US Copyright Office | what in a building or drawing is protected | The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces… |
| 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(8), architectural works | a US statute or the US Copyright Office | what in a building or drawing is protected | An architect's plans and drawings would, of course, be protected by copyright, but the… |
| 17 U.S.C. 120(b), alterations and destruction | a US statute or the US Copyright Office | what others may do without a licence | the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the… |
| 17 U.S.C. 201(a), initial ownership | a US statute or the US Copyright Office | who owns a design first | Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors… |
| 17 U.S.C. 302(c), term for hire | a US statute or the US Copyright Office | how long the right lasts | or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first |
| AIA B101-2017, instruments of service | the AIA's standard appointment | what the client may do with the drawings | The Owner receives a license to use the Instruments of Service solely and exclusively for… |
| CDPA 1988 s.4(1)(b), work of architecture | a UK statute | what in a building or drawing is protected | a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or |
| CDPA 1988 s.62, buildings on public display | a UK statute | what others may do without a licence | sculptures, models for buildings and works of artistic craftsmanship, if permanently… |
| CDPA 1988 s.65, reconstruction of buildings | a UK statute | what others may do without a licence | Anything done for the purposes of reconstructing a building does not infringe any… |
| CDPA 1988 s.90(4), licence binds successors | a UK statute | how a right is assigned or licensed | A licence granted by a copyright owner is binding on every successor in title to his… |
| CDPA 1988 s.91, prospective ownership | a UK statute | how a right is assigned or licensed | Where by an agreement made in relation to future copyright, and signed by or on behalf of… |
| CDPA 1988 s.92(1), exclusive licence | a UK statute | how a right is assigned or licensed | In this Part an “exclusive licence” means a licence in writing signed by or on behalf of… |
| RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2020, copyright licence | the RIBA's standard appointment | what the client may do with the drawings | Licence arrangements in the Architect's copyright materials attempt to strike a balance… |
The source sentence behind every answer (39)
- 17 U.S.C. 101, architectural work, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 1 (section 101), read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
An “architectural work” is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression
- 17 U.S.C. 101, architectural work, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 1 (section 101), read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features.
- 17 U.S.C. 101, architectural work, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 1 (section 101), read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design, but does not include individual standard features.
- 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(8), architectural works, Title 17, United States Code, section 102 (with notes), read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
An architect's plans and drawings would, of course, be protected by copyright
- 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(8), architectural works, Title 17, United States Code, section 102 (with notes), read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
An architect's plans and drawings would, of course, be protected by copyright, but the extent to which that protection would extend to the structure depicted would depend on the circumstances.
- 17 U.S.C. 102(a)(8), architectural works, Title 17, United States Code, section 102 (with notes), read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
An architect's plans and drawings would, of course, be protected by copyright, but the extent to which that protection would extend to the structure depicted would depend on the circumstances.
- 17 U.S.C. 120(b), alterations and destruction, Title 17, United States Code, section 120, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106(2), the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may
- 17 U.S.C. 120(b), alterations and destruction, Title 17, United States Code, section 120, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the author or copyright owner of the architectural work, make or authorize the making of alterations to such building, and destroy or authorize the destruction of such building.
- 17 U.S.C. 120(b), alterations and destruction, Title 17, United States Code, section 120, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the author or copyright owner of the architectural work, make or authorize the making of alterations to such building, and destroy or authorize the destruction of such building.
- 17 U.S.C. 201(a), initial ownership, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 2 (section 201), read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work.
- 17 U.S.C. 201(a), initial ownership, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 2 (section 201), read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work. The authors of a joint work are coowners of copyright in the work.
- 17 U.S.C. 201(a), initial ownership, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 2 (section 201), read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work. The authors of a joint work are coowners of copyright in the work.
- 17 U.S.C. 302(c), term for hire, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 3 (section 302), read 2026-10-27, Where the rule comes from:
or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first
- 17 U.S.C. 302(c), term for hire, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 3 (section 302), read 2026-10-27, What it settles:
or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first
- 17 U.S.C. 302(c), term for hire, Title 17, United States Code, chapter 3 (section 302), read 2026-10-27, The rule in its own words:
or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first
- AIA B101-2017, instruments of service, AIA Contract Documents, The Rights of an Architect's Instruments of Service, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
the Architect and the Architect’s consultants are deemed the authors and owners of their respective Instruments of Service
- AIA B101-2017, instruments of service, AIA Contract Documents, The Rights of an Architect's Instruments of Service, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
The Owner receives a license to use the Instruments of Service solely and exclusively for constructing, using, maintaining, altering and adding to the Project.
- AIA B101-2017, instruments of service, AIA Contract Documents, The Rights of an Architect's Instruments of Service, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
The Owner receives a license to use the Instruments of Service solely and exclusively for constructing, using, maintaining, altering and adding to the Project.
- CDPA 1988 s.4(1)(b), work of architecture, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 4, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or
- CDPA 1988 s.4(1)(b), work of architecture, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 4, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or
- CDPA 1988 s.4(1)(b), work of architecture, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 4, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or
- CDPA 1988 s.62, buildings on public display, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 62, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
sculptures, models for buildings and works of artistic craftsmanship, if permanently situated in a public place
- CDPA 1988 s.62, buildings on public display, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 62, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
sculptures, models for buildings and works of artistic craftsmanship, if permanently situated in a public place or in premises open to the public.
- CDPA 1988 s.62, buildings on public display, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 62, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
sculptures, models for buildings and works of artistic craftsmanship, if permanently situated in a public place or in premises open to the public.
- CDPA 1988 s.65, reconstruction of buildings, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 65, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
Anything done for the purposes of reconstructing a building does not infringe any copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.65, reconstruction of buildings, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 65, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
Anything done for the purposes of reconstructing a building does not infringe any copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.65, reconstruction of buildings, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 65, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
Anything done for the purposes of reconstructing a building does not infringe any copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.90(4), licence binds successors, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90, read 2026-10-08, Where the rule comes from:
A licence granted by a copyright owner is binding on every successor in title to his interest in the copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.90(4), licence binds successors, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90, read 2026-10-08, What it settles:
A licence granted by a copyright owner is binding on every successor in title to his interest in the copyright, except a purchaser in good faith for valuable consideration and without notice (actual or constructive) of the licence
- CDPA 1988 s.90(4), licence binds successors, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 90, read 2026-10-08, The rule in its own words:
A licence granted by a copyright owner is binding on every successor in title to his interest in the copyright, except a purchaser in good faith for valuable consideration and without notice (actual or constructive) of the licence
- CDPA 1988 s.91, prospective ownership, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 91, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
Where by an agreement made in relation to future copyright, and signed by or on behalf of the prospective owner of the copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.91, prospective ownership, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 91, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
Where by an agreement made in relation to future copyright, and signed by or on behalf of the prospective owner of the copyright, the prospective owner purports to assign the future copyright (wholly or partially) to another person
- CDPA 1988 s.91, prospective ownership, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 91, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
Where by an agreement made in relation to future copyright, and signed by or on behalf of the prospective owner of the copyright, the prospective owner purports to assign the future copyright (wholly or partially) to another person
- CDPA 1988 s.92(1), exclusive licence, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 92, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
In this Part an “exclusive licence” means a licence in writing signed by or on behalf of the copyright owner
- CDPA 1988 s.92(1), exclusive licence, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 92, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
In this Part an “exclusive licence” means a licence in writing signed by or on behalf of the copyright owner authorising the licensee to the exclusion of all other persons, including the person granting the licence
- CDPA 1988 s.92(1), exclusive licence, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 92, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
In this Part an “exclusive licence” means a licence in writing signed by or on behalf of the copyright owner authorising the licensee to the exclusion of all other persons, including the person granting the licence
- RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2020, copyright licence, RIBA, Professional Services Contracts: a helpful and practical agreement, read 2026-10-28, Where the rule comes from:
the conditions attaching to the Client's licence to use the Architect's copyright materials
- RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2020, copyright licence, RIBA, Professional Services Contracts: a helpful and practical agreement, read 2026-10-28, What it settles:
Licence arrangements in the Architect's copyright materials attempt to strike a balance between conditions that a Client is likely to accept on the one hand and protecting the Architect from the potential inequity of a Client having a right to use materials for which it has not paid
- RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2020, copyright licence, RIBA, Professional Services Contracts: a helpful and practical agreement, read 2026-10-28, The rule in its own words:
Licence arrangements in the Architect's copyright materials attempt to strike a balance between conditions that a Client is likely to accept on the one hand and protecting the Architect from the potential inequity of a Client having a right to use materials for which it has not paid
Read, then left out
3 named documents were read and left out because they are not what this board covers; each reason is below. They are counted, never answered.
- RIBA Journal, Architects' copyright licences and infringements on drawings: commentary: the charter admits it for discovery only; every rule on the board is quoted from the statute or the appointment's publisher
- RIBA Journal, copyright when taking on existing projects: commentary: the charter admits it for discovery only; every rule on the board is quoted from the statute or the appointment's publisher
- AIA community hub, why maintaining copyright of your architectural work is important: commentary: the charter admits it for discovery only; every rule on the board is quoted from the statute or the appointment's publisher
Method
Each provision's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row).
For every text, three questions were answered from its own words: where the rule comes from, what it settles, the rule in its own words.
Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the text read does not address the question.
A provision with several texts reads 'varies' where they disagree.
13 provisions, 13 texts.
Not read yet, so not counted: 3 named documents.
19 sources, with links
- 17 U.S.C. ch. 1 (s.101 architectural work; s.102(a)(8); s.120 scope of an architectural work) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- 17 U.S.C. s.102 (subject matter: architectural works) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- 17 U.S.C. s.120 (scope of exclusive rights in architectural works) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- 17 U.S.C. ch. 2 (s.201 ownership and works made for hire; s.204 transfer in writing) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- US Copyright Office, Circular 41: Copyright Claims in Architectural Works (not yet read)
- CDPA 1988 s.4 (artistic works include a work of architecture) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- CDPA 1988 s.11 (first owner; employee works) (not yet read)
- CDPA 1988 s.12 (duration of copyright) (not yet read)
- CDPA 1988 s.62 (buildings on public display) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- CDPA 1988 s.65 (reconstruction of buildings) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- CDPA 1988 s.90 (assignment and licences) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- CDPA 1988 s.91 (prospective ownership) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- CDPA 1988 s.92 (exclusive licences) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- AIA Contract Documents, The Rights of an Architect's Instruments of Service (B101) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- RIBA, Professional Services Contracts: a helpful and practical agreement (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
- RIBA Journal, Architects' copyright licences and infringements on drawings (read, set aside)
- RIBA Journal, copyright when taking on existing projects (read, set aside)
- AIA community hub, why maintaining copyright of your architectural work is important (read, set aside)
- 17 U.S.C. ch. 3 (s.302 duration, including works made for hire) (quoted for comment from the publisher's own copyright statutes and the publishers' own pages on the AIA and RIBA appointment terms)
Take this figure with you
13 rules on who owns an architect's drawings and models and what a client's licence covers, each quoted from the statute or the appointment's publisher, read 28 October 2026.
Where the rule comes from, by provision: a UK statute 6 of 13, a US statute or the US Copyright Office 5 of 13, the AIA's standard appointment 1 of 13, the RIBA's standard appointment 1 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026).
What it settles, by provision: what others may do without a licence 3 of 13, how a right is assigned or licensed 3 of 13, what in a building or drawing is protected 3 of 13, what the client may do with the drawings 2 of 13, who owns a design first 1 of 13, how long the right lasts 1 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026).
The rule in its own words, by provision: stated 13 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026).
Citation: "Who owns an architect's drawings, by statute and appointment", updated 2026-10-28, https://sellarchitecturedatatoai.com/datasets/architecture-design-ownership-law/.
The data as a CSV (39 answers as of 2026-10-28)