A Toronto couple has settled a three-year-long legal battle against their neighbors, whom they accused of copying the design of their multimillion-dollar home.
Jason and Jodi Chapnik allege that a house near them looks “strikingly similar” to theirs. They argued in court that the home is using the same shade of blue and matching grey stonework. They’ve accused the neighbors of decreasing the value of their home and taking away its uniqueness by copying its design.
The couple sued their neighbors—one of whom is a builder—as well as the neighbor’s architect brother-in-law for copyright infringement in federal court. They also sued the real estate agent whom they accuse of profiting from the home’s recent sale. The Chapniks raised the question on whether a home’s design can be protected by copyright laws.
READ MORE: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2017/10/10/couple-sues-neighbors-for-copycat-house
