Architectural copyright regulations in the light of rights enforcement

Abstract

As a result of the amendment of architectural copyright regulations, the copyright of all architectural and technical documentation made from state resources between World War II and the end of socialism in Hungary are currently in one hand. Since January 1, 2019 architectural plans created by most of the former state-owned architectural design companies, as well as their related rights are managed by the Hungarian State. This amendment made the legal settlement of the licence for use more transparent in the case of building reconstructions or expansions. The legislation introduced the “national assets of architectural plans” as a concept, covering architectural works and their architectural and technical documentation, which are managed by the state-owned organization Lechner Knowledge Centre. Furthermore, the Architectural Copyright Register was established, a freely accessible database with the purpose of providing information on the authors and copyright holders of architectural works under copyright protection. In addition to settling the legal situation of the plans made by architectural design companies, the regulation makes finding the copyright holders easier for investment preparations, while also simplifying reconstruction and renovation procedures for building owners. The amendment provides a reassuring solution to a variety of unique cases that can be encountered when examining the circumstances of the licence for use.