In the United Kingdom, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 governs the protection of original works of authorship, including architectural and landscape architectural plans and drawings. Under this act, copyright automatically subsists in a work as soon as it is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as drawings or plans.
Landscape Architects. as the creators of the design work, are considered the first owner of the copyright of the plans and drawings they produce. This means that they have the exclusive right to reproduce, adapt, and communicate their work to the public. They also have the right to license or sell their work to others.
It’s worth noting that the copyright of a work lasts for a certain period of time, which is generally the life of the creator plus a certain number of years after their death. After this period, the work enters the public domain and can be used freely by anyone without permission or payment.
It’s also important to note that Landscape Architects should also be aware of other laws that may apply to their work, such as building regulations and planning permission. These laws may have an impact on the design and construction of a project.
