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.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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