Building engineering blueprints ownership ?

Question

Are the blueprints to a building copyrighted?

Say I want to build two buildings exactly like the WTC, could I use the existing blueprints for those buildings, or would I be infringing on property rights of some sort? And if I am, what would they be?

Answer 1

The blueprints/designs for any building belong to the person who paid to have them drawn.  They are not public property.  Copies probably exist at the offices of the firm(s) who did the initial design work, and as well at the (now gone) offices of the WTC.

You would definitely be infringing on the property rights of others.

Answer 2

Yes, building plans are almost always protected by copyright.  The original architect or engineer retains those rights, and that is who you would need to contact to use the work.  Be aware, that many times the contract between the architect and the owner/developer of the property prohibits the architect from reselling the same design to another party.