Who owns an MEP consultant's drawings and calculations
4 of 14 consultant forms and statutes we read leave the copyright in the drawings with the firm that drew them, newest read 31 October 2026.
Who it leaves the copyright with
What it settles for a sale
What it says, in its own words
All the answers, text by text
A text per row. Every answer opens onto the line it comes from, quoted exactly, with the page it sits in and the day of the read. "Not stated" marks a question the page leaves unanswered.
| Text | Who it leaves the copyright with | What it settles for a sale | What it says, in its own words |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 U.S.C. 101 | the employer, for an employee's work | what the protected work is | a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment |
| 17 U.S.C. 201 | the author, unless a signed writing moves it | who owns the drawings | unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by… |
| 17 U.S.C. 204 | the author, unless a signed writing moves it | how ownership passes | A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an… |
| 17 U.S.C. 302 | not statedNot addressed in duration of copyright | how long the right lasts | the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a… |
| ACE agreements | not statedNot addressed in frequently asked questions | not statedNot addressed in frequently asked questions | not statedNot addressed in frequently asked questions |
| ACE collateral warranty agreements | the consultant that drew them | the licence the architect, client or owner receives | The licence shall enable the Beneficiary to use the Consultant’s drawings, documents and… |
| ACE Professional Services Agreement 2017 | the consultant that drew them | the licence the architect, client or owner receives | to grant sub-licences for an extension to the Project but not to reproduce the designs… |
| ACE Short Form 2015 | the consultant that drew them | the licence the architect, client or owner receives | If the Client is in default of payment of any amount under this Agreement the Consultant… |
| AIA C401-2017 | not statedNot addressed in instructions, architect-consultant agreement | not statedNot addressed in instructions, architect-consultant agreement | AIA Document C401–2017 is a standard form of agreement between the architect and the… |
| AIA C402-2018 | the consultant that drew them Not addressed in summary | the licence the architect, client or owner receives | The parties are required to insert protocols for transmitting Instruments of Service or… |
| CDPA 1988 s.11 | the employer, for an employee's work | who owns the drawings | Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an… |
| CDPA 1988 s.12 | not statedNot addressed in duration of copyright | how long the right lasts | Copyright expires at the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year… |
| CDPA 1988 s.4 | not statedNot addressed in artistic works | what the protected work is | a graphic work, photograph, sculpture or collage, irrespective of artistic quality |
| CDPA 1988 s.90 | the author, unless a signed writing moves it | how ownership passes | An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on… |
The 48 sentences the answers come from
- 17 U.S.C. 101, definitions, work made for hire, read 2026-10-03, Who it leaves the copyright with:
a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment
- 17 U.S.C. 101, definitions, work made for hire, read 2026-10-03, What it settles for a sale:
if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work shall be considered a work made for hire
- 17 U.S.C. 101, definitions, work made for hire, read 2026-10-03, What it says, in its own words:
a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment
- 17 U.S.C. 201, ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the copyright with:
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, read 2026-10-08, What it settles for a sale:
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, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright.
- 17 U.S.C. 204, execution of transfers, read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the copyright with:
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, read 2026-10-08, What it settles for a sale:
is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent.
- 17 U.S.C. 204, execution of transfers, 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
- 17 U.S.C. 302, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-27, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-27 (3,861 characters) is silent on this.
- 17 U.S.C. 302, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-27, What it settles for a sale:
endures for a term consisting of the life of the author and 70 years after the author’s death.
- 17 U.S.C. 302, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-27, What it says, in its own words:
the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first.
- ACE agreements, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (5,230 characters) is silent on this.
- ACE agreements, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (5,230 characters) is silent on this.
- ACE agreements, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (5,230 characters) is silent on this.
- ACE collateral warranty agreements, clause 2, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with:
2.1 The Consultant’s Intellectual Property Rights, as defined in clause 2.6, remain vested in the Consultant.
- ACE collateral warranty agreements, clause 2, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
The Beneficiary has a licence to use the drawings, documents and information issued pursuant to the Appointment by the Consultant for any purpose relating to completion of the Works and the operation of the Project.
- ACE collateral warranty agreements, clause 2, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
The licence shall enable the Beneficiary to use the Consultant’s drawings, documents and information and to grant sub-licences for an extension to the Project
- ACE Professional Services Agreement 2017, clause 9, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with:
9.1 The Consultant’s Intellectual Property Rights remain vested in the Consultant.
- ACE Professional Services Agreement 2017, clause 9, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
The Client has a licence to use the drawings, documents and information issued to the Client by the Consultant for any purpose relating to completion of the Project
- ACE Professional Services Agreement 2017, clause 9, intellectual property, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
to grant sub-licences for an extension to the Project but not to reproduce the designs contained within it for any extension of the Project.
- ACE Short Form 2015, clause 5, copyright, licences and confidentiality, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with:
provided by the Consultant to the Client remains vested in the Consultant.
- ACE Short Form 2015, clause 5, copyright, licences and confidentiality, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
The Client shall have a licence to copy and use such material for the purposes for which they were provided
- ACE Short Form 2015, clause 5, copyright, licences and confidentiality, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
If the Client is in default of payment of any amount under this Agreement the Consultant may revoke any licence granted by giving seven days’ notice.
- AIA C401-2017, instructions, architect-consultant agreement, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (8,145 characters) is silent on this.
- AIA C401-2017, instructions, architect-consultant agreement, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (8,145 characters) is silent on this.
- AIA C401-2017, instructions, architect-consultant agreement, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
AIA Document C401–2017 is a standard form of agreement between the architect and the consultant providing services to the architect.
- AIA C402-2018, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with:
The Owner-Architect agreements require the Architect to obtain a nonexclusive license from its consultants
- AIA C402-2018, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
has a limited flow down: copyrights, licenses, and payments.
- AIA C402-2018, frequently asked questions, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
The parties are required to insert protocols for transmitting Instruments of Service or other data in digital form.
- AIA C402-2018, instructions, article 6, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with:
The Consultant and the Architect are deemed the authors and owners of their respective Instruments of Service, and they retain all common law and statutory rights, including copyright.
- AIA C402-2018, instructions, article 6, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
Through this flow down, the Owner receives a nonexclusive license to use the Consultant’s Instruments of Service for constructing, using, maintaining, altering, and adding to the Project.
- AIA C402-2018, instructions, article 6, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
They grant each other a nonexclusive license to use the Instruments of Service in the same manner established in the Prime Agreement.
- AIA C402-2018, summary, read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-31 (6,682 characters) is silent on this.
- AIA C402-2018, summary, read 2026-10-31, What it settles for a sale:
However, the terms and conditions of Article 7 Copyrights and Licenses, will survive Termination of the Agreement.
- AIA C402-2018, summary, read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words:
termination of this Agreement is one year from the date of Substantial Completion, unless otherwise stated in the Agreement.
- CDPA 1988 s.11, first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the copyright with:
his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary.
- CDPA 1988 s.11, first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it settles for a sale:
is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright
- CDPA 1988 s.11, first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
Where a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work [F1, or a film,] is made by an employee in the course of his employment
- CDPA 1988 s.12, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-08 (9,076 characters) is silent on this.
- CDPA 1988 s.12, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it settles for a sale:
Copyright expires at the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author dies, subject as follows.
- CDPA 1988 s.12, duration of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
Copyright expires at the end of the period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author dies
- CDPA 1988 s.4, artistic works, read 2026-10-28, Who it leaves the copyright with: Not addressed: the page read on 2026-10-28 (5,045 characters) is silent on this.
- CDPA 1988 s.4, artistic works, read 2026-10-28, What it settles for a sale:
any painting, drawing, diagram, map, chart or plan
- CDPA 1988 s.4, artistic works, read 2026-10-28, What it says, in its own words:
a graphic work, photograph, sculpture or collage, irrespective of artistic quality
- CDPA 1988 s.90, assignment and licences, read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the copyright with:
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, read 2026-10-08, What it settles for a sale:
Copyright is transmissible by assignment, by testamentary disposition or by operation of law, as personal or moveable property.
- CDPA 1988 s.90, assignment and licences, 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.
How we read and count
Each text's own the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row).
For every page, three questions were answered from its own words: who it leaves the copyright with, what it settles for a sale, 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 page read does not address the question.
A text with several pages reads 'varies' where they disagree.
14 texts, 16 pages.
Where we looked (16)
- AIA C401-2017 instructions, architect-consultant agreement (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- AIA C402-2018 FAQs (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- AIA C402-2018 summary (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- AIA C402-2018 instructions (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- ACE Short Form 2015 (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- ACE Professional Services Agreement 2017 (evaluation copy) (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- ACE agreements FAQs (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- ACE collateral warranty agreements (evaluation copy) (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- 17 U.S.C. 101: definitions, work made for hire (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- 17 U.S.C. 201: ownership of copyright (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- 17 U.S.C. 204: transfers in writing (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- CDPA 1988 s.4: artistic works, drawings (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- CDPA 1988 s.11: first ownership, employees (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- CDPA 1988 s.90: assignment and licences (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- CDPA 1988 s.12: duration of copyright (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
- 17 U.S.C. 302: duration of copyright (the publisher's the AIA and ACE consultant agreement pages and the US and UK copyright statutes, cited for reporting)
Use this figure
4 of 14 consultant forms and statutes we read leave the copyright in the drawings with the firm that drew them, newest read 31 October 2026.
Who it leaves the copyright with, by text: not stated 5 of 14, the consultant that drew them 4 of 14, the author, unless a signed writing moves it 3 of 14, the employer, for an employee's work 2 of 14 (14 texts, read 31 October 2026).
What it settles for a sale, by text: the licence the architect, client or owner receives 4 of 14, what the protected work is 2 of 14, not stated 2 of 14, who owns the drawings 2 of 14, how long the right lasts 2 of 14, how ownership passes 2 of 14 (14 texts, read 31 October 2026).
What it says, in its own words, by text: stated 13 of 14, not stated 1 of 14 (14 texts, read 31 October 2026).
Reference: "Who owns an MEP consultant's drawings and calculations", updated 2026-10-31, https://sellmepdatatoai.com/datasets/mep-consultant-drawing-ownership-law/.
CSV download (48 answers, compiled 2026-10-31)
Questions this data answers
Who owns an MEP consultant's drawings and calculations when the firm worked under the architect (AIA C401 and C402, the ACE agreements), and what does US and UK copyright law say when the agreement is silent?
4 of 14 consultant forms and statutes we read leave the copyright in the drawings with the firm that drew them, newest read 31 October 2026.