# The law on a builder's plans and project records > 4 of 13 US and UK texts read decide who owns a building's drawings, newest read 28 October 2026. Sell Homebuilder Data to AI · https://sellhomebuilderdatatoai.com/datasets/homebuilder-records-sale-law/ · computed 2026-10-28 **Provisions deciding who owns the drawings:** 4 of 13 provisions (13 texts read; 13 named). ## The answers, question by question - **What the provision guards:** a building design as a protected work 4, the copyright owner's exclusive rights 3, who first owns a work 2, how ownership passes to someone else 2, what counts as personal data and how it is handled 2 - **What it does to a sale of a builder's records:** defines the terms the rules use 5, decides who owns the drawings 4, limits what the builder may do with a design it does not own 3, sets conditions before records are used 1 - **What it says, in its own words:** stated 13 ## Every provision | Provision | What the provision guards | What it does to a sale of a builder's records | What it says, in its own words | |---|---|---|---| | 17 U.S.C. 101 | a building design as a protected work | defines the terms the rules use | is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, | | 17 U.S.C. 102 | a building design as a protected work | defines the terms the rules use | Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of… | | 17 U.S.C. 106 | the copyright owner's exclusive rights | limits what the builder may do with a design it does not own | Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the… | | 17 U.S.C. 120 | the copyright owner's exclusive rights | limits what the builder may do with a design it does not own | the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the… | | 17 U.S.C. 201 | who first owns a work | decides who owns the drawings | Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors… | | 17 U.S.C. 204 | how ownership passes to someone else | decides who owns the drawings | A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an… | | CDPA 1988 s 11 | who first owns a work | decides who owns the drawings | The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following… | | CDPA 1988 s 16 | the copyright owner's exclusive rights | limits what the builder may do with a design it does not own | to issue copies of the work to the public (see section 18); | | CDPA 1988 s 4 | a building design as a protected work | defines the terms the rules use | a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or | | CDPA 1988 s 90 | how ownership passes to someone else | decides who owns the drawings | An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on… | | U.S. Copyright Office Circular 41 | a building design as a protected work | defines the terms the rules use | An architectural work is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of… | | UK GDPR Article 4 | what counts as personal data and how it is handled | defines the terms the rules use | an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in… | | UK GDPR Article 5 | what counts as personal data and how it is handled | sets conditions before records are used | for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed | ## The sentence each answer rests on (39) - 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions, architectural work](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, What the provision guards: "is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression," - 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions, architectural work](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression," - 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions, architectural work](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, What it says, in its own words: "is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression," - 17 U.S.C. 102, [Subject matter of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/102), read 2026-10-27, What the provision guards: "Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression" - 17 U.S.C. 102, [Subject matter of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/102), read 2026-10-27, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression" - 17 U.S.C. 102, [Subject matter of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/102), read 2026-10-27, What it says, in its own words: "Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression" - 17 U.S.C. 106, [Exclusive rights in copyrighted works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following:" - 17 U.S.C. 106, [Exclusive rights in copyrighted works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following:" - 17 U.S.C. 106, [Exclusive rights in copyrighted works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following:" - 17 U.S.C. 120, [Scope of exclusive rights in architectural works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/120), read 2026-10-27, What the provision guards: "the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the author or copyright owner of the architectural work, make or authorize the making of alterations to such building" - 17 U.S.C. 120, [Scope of exclusive rights in architectural works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/120), read 2026-10-27, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the author or copyright owner of the architectural work, make or authorize the making of alterations to such building" - 17 U.S.C. 120, [Scope of exclusive rights in architectural works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/120), read 2026-10-27, What it says, in its own words: "the owners of a building embodying an architectural work may, without the consent of the author or copyright owner of the architectural work, make or authorize the making of alterations to such building" - 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work." - 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work." - 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work." - 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed" - 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed" - 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed" - CDPA 1988 s 11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions." - CDPA 1988 s 11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions." - CDPA 1988 s 11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions." - CDPA 1988 s 16, [The acts restricted by copyright in a work](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/16), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "to issue copies of the work to the public (see section 18);" - CDPA 1988 s 16, [The acts restricted by copyright in a work](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/16), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "to issue copies of the work to the public (see section 18);" - CDPA 1988 s 16, [The acts restricted by copyright in a work](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/16), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "to issue copies of the work to the public (see section 18);" - CDPA 1988 s 4, [Artistic works](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/4), read 2026-10-28, What the provision guards: "a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or" - CDPA 1988 s 4, [Artistic works](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/4), read 2026-10-28, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or" - CDPA 1988 s 4, [Artistic works](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/4), read 2026-10-28, What it says, in its own words: "a work of architecture being a building or a model for a building, or" - CDPA 1988 s 90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor." - CDPA 1988 s 90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor." - CDPA 1988 s 90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor." - U.S. Copyright Office Circular 41, [Copyright claims in architectural works](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ41.pdf), read 2026-10-27, What the provision guards: "An architectural work is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings." - U.S. Copyright Office Circular 41, [Copyright claims in architectural works](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ41.pdf), read 2026-10-27, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "An architectural work is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings." - U.S. Copyright Office Circular 41, [Copyright claims in architectural works](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ41.pdf), read 2026-10-27, What it says, in its own words: "An architectural work is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings." - UK GDPR Article 4, [Definitions](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/4), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "‘personal data’ means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person" - UK GDPR Article 4, [Definitions](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/4), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "‘personal data’ means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person" - UK GDPR Article 4, [Definitions](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/4), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data" - UK GDPR Article 5, [Principles relating to processing of personal data](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/5), read 2026-10-08, What the provision guards: "for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed" - UK GDPR Article 5, [Principles relating to processing of personal data](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/5), read 2026-10-08, What it does to a sale of a builder's records: "for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed" - UK GDPR Article 5, [Principles relating to processing of personal data](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/5), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed" ## Methodology Each provision's own US and UK statute texts and the Copyright Office's circular were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row). For every text, three questions were answered from its own words: what the provision guards, what it does to a sale of a builder's records, what it says, in its own words. Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the text read does not address the question. A provision with several texts reads 'varies' where they disagree. 13 provisions, 13 texts. ## Sources - [17 U.S. Code 101: definitions (architectural work)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101) (read) - [17 U.S. Code 102: subject matter of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/102) (read) - [17 U.S. Code 106: exclusive rights](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106) (read) - [17 U.S. Code 120: scope of exclusive rights in architectural works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/120) (read) - [17 U.S. Code 201: ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201) (read) - [17 U.S. Code 204: execution of transfers](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204) (read) - [U.S. Copyright Office Circular 41: copyright claims in architectural works](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ41.pdf) (read) - [CDPA 1988 s 4: artistic works](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/4) (read) - [CDPA 1988 s 11: first ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11) (read) - [CDPA 1988 s 16: the acts restricted by copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/16) (read) - [CDPA 1988 s 90: assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90) (read) - [UK GDPR Article 4: definitions](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/4) (read) - [UK GDPR Article 5: principles](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/5) (read) ## Cite or embed - 4 of 13 US and UK texts read decide who owns a building's drawings, newest read 28 October 2026. - What the provision guards, by provision: a building design as a protected work 4 of 13, the copyright owner's exclusive rights 3 of 13, who first owns a work 2 of 13, what counts as personal data and how it is handled 2 of 13, how ownership passes to someone else 2 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026). - What it does to a sale of a builder's records, by provision: defines the terms the rules use 5 of 13, decides who owns the drawings 4 of 13, limits what the builder may do with a design it does not own 3 of 13, sets conditions before records are used 1 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026). - What it says, in its own words, by provision: stated 13 of 13 (13 provisions, read 28 October 2026). Cite as: "The law on a builder's plans and project records", updated 2026-10-28, https://sellhomebuilderdatatoai.com/datasets/homebuilder-records-sale-law/. CSV: https://sellhomebuilderdatatoai.com/datasets/homebuilder-records-sale-law.csv JSON: https://sellhomebuilderdatatoai.com/datasets/homebuilder-records-sale-law.json Embed (plain HTML, static link back): see https://sellhomebuilderdatatoai.com/datasets/homebuilder-records-sale-law/#lead