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  • 1.  QUESTION: Interior Designer Communication

    Posted 12-15-2025 12:59 PM

    Hello SFx, 

    I am working with an Interior Design firm on a project and they have taken our drawings and put them (unchanged) on their titleblock. We shared DWGs with them, with a release, but from the standpoint of "Instruments of Service" should we have communication with them about noting our work? Anyone deal with this before? 

    Thank you!



    ------------------------------
    Dana Ellis AIA
    The Outpost Studio
    Carbondale CO
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    26.09.14 CRAN Symposium Final


  • 2.  RE: QUESTION: Interior Designer Communication

    Posted 12-16-2025 09:16 AM

    This is usually how I would handle that communication:

    BIM / CADD vector based electronic files and documents are an architect's professional instruments of service.

    XXXX  XXXX Architect is the copyright holder of these electronic CAD (.DWG) files and documents.

    Any use of this electronic file information, in whole or in part, must be identified as, and include, the copyright of this architect.

    Your work and copyright can be added as well for your firm's portion of the project scope. 

    We appreciate this collaboration and recognize the value of your contributions to the project.

    Good luck



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    William J. Martin AIA
    WJM Architect
    Westwood NJ
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    26.09.14 CRAN Symposium Final


  • 3.  RE: QUESTION: Interior Designer Communication

    Posted 12-16-2025 06:08 PM
    "just saying" - partial or full electronic backgrounds are very commonly distributed to consulting engineers, often without any agreement as to rights of reuse, or "notice" beyond "hope these work for you, look at the pdf if you have questions".  The AIA digital practice and digital documents forms do exist, but are they used for run of the mill jobs?

    Is that a totally sound business and liability practice?  No.  But, realistically, has it ever been a problem?  Unless a firm is totally integrated for all disciplines, at some point our electronic treasures will be given away for the greater good.

    Has anyone received a proposal from a consultant that says it is conditioned on the receipt of CADD or BIM backgrounds that are usable by them?  

    Perhaps the interior designer is just leaving all of the architectural information turned on.  That would be clumsy, sort of like drawing on top of a pdf.  

    I think there is more concern when the request is to distribute to general contractors and/or their subcontractors.  

    [ Side note: years ago I led my then-firm's work for a major national and international clothing retailer.  The non-disclosure agreement said we would return everything that we got from them in electronic form (generic store plans and a large library of proprietary details) upon termination of our agreement to work for them.  Well, they never formally terminated - just stopped sending us (and others) new work.  We probably learned more from them about clever ways to organize drawings with our common software than the value of all of those details.  BTW, when they bought store display fixtures (tables, seating, whatever), the agreement with those vendors/fabricators was that they would never make those items for anyone else. I assume the same approach applied to the innovative 4'x4' ceiling panel system with pre-determined acceptable places for lights, sprinklers, speakers, etc. - a pity, because it worked nicely. ]

    --
    best regards,
    Joel Niemi     - Architect
    425.422.4276
    jniemiarchitect@gmail.com
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/jniemiarchitect



    Original Message
    26.09.14 CRAN Symposium Final


  • 4.  RE: QUESTION: Interior Designer Communication

    Posted 12-16-2025 12:54 PM
    I believe the sis illegal under the Copywriter laws.

    Your drawings are Copywrited.  

    They would have to have to completely redraw your drawings over.


    Nelson Breech Nave, AIA, Architect
    100 N. Edwards St.
    Kalamazoo MI 49007
    269-207-3063 (cell)




    26.09.14 CRAN Symposium Final


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