The designers of a $20-million Bel-Air "dream house" prevail in court after they discover a copy being built.
"The case of the copycat house has played out against the backdrop of the heated, extravagant world of Westside real estate, where many homeowners pay stratospheric prices to hire the architect of the moment. (Hablinski has created custom designs for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, as well as Jennifer Lopez and Jim Carrey.)
The suit sought to test the limits of the 1990 Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act. Designed to help bring the United States into compliance with the Bern Convention, an international copyright agreement, the law extended copyright protection to buildings."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: That Fascia's Familiar...

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

Judge Reverses Federal Funding Freeze for EV Infrastructure
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release funding for the National National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 billion program aimed at improving charging infrastructure.

Santa Monica May Raise Parking Permit Fees
The city says the changes would help better manage curb space and support its sustainability goals.

Portland Housing Bond Created Nearly 5,000 Units, But Affordability Remains Out of Reach
Despite better-than-expected results from multiple local housing bonds, housing costs and homelessness remain top of mind for many Oregonians.
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