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Architecture

When teaching, you are generally looking at using copyrighted material in your courses.

See Educational Exceptions for information on how to determine if a use is copyright compliant based on course format (in person, online, or hybrid).

Note: When using books and articles found through the NDSU Libraries, it is best to provide the permalink from the item record rather than downloading the book or article and uploading to Blackboard. This not only provides access to a legally obtained copy, it gives the Libraries accurate statistics, which is used when making budget decisions regarding databases.

It is also important to properly cite the works used in teaching.

Additional useful information:

Course Reserves
InterLibrary Loan

When researching, you are generally looking at using copyrighted material in your research and publications.

See Fair Use and Fair Use Evaluator for information on how to determine if a use is copyright compliant.

Note that "...use by reproduction in copies...for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," but one must run the use through the four factors used by a court to determine if a use is in fact fair. Educational or research use is not automatically considered fair use.

It is also important to properly cite the works used.

Additional useful information:

AI Tools for Research
InterLibrary Loan
Subject Librarians

Source:
17 U.S.C.

When publishing, you are generally looking at using copyrighted material in your research and publications and at ownership of the work.

See Fair Use and Fair Use Evaluator for information on how to determine if a use is copyright compliant.

Note that "...use by reproduction in copies...for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright," but one must run the use through the four factors used by a court to determine if a use is in fact fair. Educational or research use is not automatically considered fair use.

See Institutional Policies for information on who owns a work. In general:

when works are made by an employee of the institution at the specific direction of the institution, the institution will own the copyright of the work (e.g. course descriptions),
when works are made by an employee of the institution but not at the specific direction of the institution, the creator(s) of the work will own the copyright.

The above is in general; other situations apply. Please see Institutional Policies for specifics.

It is also important to properly cite the works used.

Additional useful information:

Open Access Publisher Agreements
APC Fund
Creative Commons Licenses (forthcoming)

Source:
17 U.S.C.

U.S. Copyright Law defines an architectural work as "the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings." (17 USC Section 101)

Architectural works are protected by US copyright law in two separate categories:

Architectural works include "the overall building design as expressed in the arrangement and composition of spaces, layout decisions, and stylistic elements." Protection applies if the design is a drawing or in a finished building.

Technical Drawings include "floor plans, blueprints, site plans, roof plans, elevations, and diagrams." These may be protected as a "pictorial or graphic work."

"A single design often qualifies under both categories. As long as the work contains original creative authorship and is not dictated solely by industry standards or building code, it generally meets the threshold for protection."

The expressive elements of the designs are the parts that are protected rather than the "ideas, standards of measurement, or purely functional requirements" of the designs. These expressive elements may include:

"The arrangement and relationship of rooms
Placement and configuration of windows and doors
The overall layout and flow of interior spaces
Creative roof shapes and stylistic variations
Exterior features such as porches and façade elements
The unique selection and combination of architectural components
Site planning decisions such as driveway placement or outdoor layouts"

Architectural works may be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office but they do not need to be registered to have copyright protection. Registration has some key benefits:

Copyright owners can usually only file infringement lawsuits if the work has been registered or submitted for registration.
Registration also opens the door to seek statutory damages and attorney fees.
With registration, an official public record of ownership is created, helping to resolve authorship disputes.
It is easier to have a work removed from online platforms if the work is registered.

Additional Information: Copyright Registration of Architectural Works (Circular 41)

Sources:
17 U.S.C.
Vondran, S. (2025). Copyright protection for architectural plans: What you need to know.

Permalink Instructions

How to Get a Permalink on the NDSU Libraries' Website

When adding an article found through the NDSU Libraries website, use the permalink to ensure access.

1. On the Item Record, find and click the Permalink icon:

Screenshot of an item record from the NDSU Libraries showing the information for an article titled Rome. The permalink icon is indicated with a black circle.

2. Click on Copy the Permalink to Clipboard:

A screenshot of an Item Record from the NDSU Libraries after one clicks the Permalink icon. The permalink is shows with the "Copy the Permalink to Clipboard" text indicated with a black oval.

3. From here, paste the permalink where it will be accessed.

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