Reply by Paul

Forgive me. I guessed that I was probably opening a can of worms when I posted my query. I thought that while there were perhaps some strong opinions, there probably wasn’t a definitive answer because there are several angles from which to view it.

For example:

1. Are we talking strictly about law?
2. Are we talking about what can realistically be enforced?
3. Are we talking about a copyright on the plans or what’s built from those plans?
4. Someone once said, “That might be correct, but it ain’t right!” Does that apply here?
5. There may be no reprecussions, but is it right?
6. Is there such a thing as “public domain” with historic furniture styles? (Public domain applies to many old songs where no one owns a copyright)
7. etc. etc. etc.

Most people know that a singer cannot record a copyrighted song without paying a fee to the copyright owner. Recording someone’s copyrighted song to sell without permission and a fee would be similar to building a chair to sell from someone’s copyrighted plans wouldn’t it?

We can let this go if you want. See my profile. Sometimes I think about these kind of things.

-- Paul, Texas