HW22

Due tomorrow morning 

Scenario 2

You are an interior designer who specializes in renovating ordinary condominiums into truly unique and gracious residences. Over the years, you have built a successful business based upon your distinctive style.

Two years ago, a wealthy couple, the Smiths, who had heard of your reputation, approached you. The Smiths complained that all of the condominiums in their building had the exact same floor plan. They hired you to completely renovate their unit.

You drafted a design that was customized especially for them. They loved it. You designed features to compensate for the man’s above average height and the lady’s large collection of cosmetics. For the walls, you developed an unusual process, which you had to show the contractor how to install, to create a beautiful and unique wall treatment.

The contractor hired completed the job within six months. It was truly outstanding. The Smiths were very happy with the final results. In fact, they loved it. You were paid in full.

As it happens, last night you attended a cocktail party held in the same building but in a different unit. An associate, one of your acquaintances, had just renovated his condo and, hearing that you were a designer, wanted to get your reaction.

Well, when you walked into the unit, you were shocked. The renovation immediately got your attention because it was virtually an exact copy of the design you created for the Smiths-right down to the wall finish!

You calmly asked the owner who the contractor was. You discovered that it was the same one who had remodeled the Smith unit for you. The owner then informed you that he knows of two other units in the building that were renovated with the same configuration just before his was.

Today, back at home, you are upset. You feel like your design was stolen, but you are not sure there is anything that you can do about it.

· Do you own the copyrights for the original design?

· Have your rights been infringed and if so, by whom?

· What should you do?

· How can you prevent this from happening again in the future?