Cad manufacturing laws and intellectual property protection

[bhain]

Im new to cad drawings, but I've had plenty of experience with 3d modeling.

In 3d modeling in a non-cad setting, I would suppose that most everything you create is considered art, and therefore has intellectual property protection.

On the other-hand, CAD drawings are of some useful object, are they still granted the same protection?

What kind of intellectual property protection can you expect on CADs, and what is blatantly illegal/ companies go to lengths to prevent you from doing>?

[JD Mather]

The art (3D/2D) is copyright protected on creation.

The design (function) can be patented (if patentable).

[rkent]

http://www.bitlaw.com/copyright/unprotected.html

[DANIEL]

this drawing is copy righted

this drawing is a trade secret and only entrusted to the reciever

for his personal use. Without the signed written consent of xxx, inc.,

it must not be copied nor made available to third parties,

including competitors, nor made accessible to such parties. Any illegal

use by the reciever or third parties for which he is responsible can

constitute a cause for legal action. This drawing must be returned on

request of the company.