Springfield, Missouri-based DesignWorks Homes has filed a federal lawsuit against Kansas City-based home builder Thomson Homes and Overland Park, Kan.-based architect Team 3 Architects for copyright infringement.
DesignWorks has accused the builder and architect of stealing a copyrighted home design by Charles James. The award-winning design, which features a triangular atrium and stairs in the main room, was first used in 1996 and copyrighted in May 2004. A derivative of the original designs by DesignWorks also received a registered copyright in 2013. DesignWorks says that Thomson Homes and Team 3 infringed on its copyrights 34 separate times for homes constructed in Kansas City.
DesignWorks accuses the two Kansas City-area companies of copyright infringement, contributory infringement, vicarious infringement, and unjust enrichment. The company asked the court to order a full accounting of the projects in question to determine damages. It also asked for injunctive relief, return or destruction of the infringing plans, and attorney fees.
The defendants had not filed a reply to the lawsuit as of this publication.
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