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Copyright issues with old projects

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(@allen-wrench)
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I have some large projects I've done with a previous employer, and I wanted to show bits of them on LinkedIn. I have scans of the drawings I signed and wanted to post the images to my profile.

Is there anything illegal/unethical about this? My guess would be yes because it has their logo on it, but could I doctor that part out of the photo and get by? I'm thinking of posting the general layout sheet and/or maybe some scans of plan sheets. Should I also edit out my signature and seal?

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 5:22 am
(@c-billingsley)
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I wouldn't do that. If you created the drawing while employed by another company, then the work is their property. You probably shouldn't have copies of it unless they specifically gave you permission to copy it.

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 10:47 am
(@spledeus)
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Are they public record?

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 11:41 am
(@c-billingsley)
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> Are they public record?

That's a possibility I didn't think of. Being in a non-recording state, is doesn't come to mind immediately.

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 2:43 pm
(@allen-wrench)
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Well I can see this whole thing is not a good idea. They are not of public record, so I guess there's my answer (although I could use subdivision plats, since they are of record.)

What would be the best way to showcase your work on Linkedin? I assume I can legally talk about and describe the project but it would be nice to have some kind of visual.

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 2:48 pm
(@mkennedy)
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Is there no possibility of contacting the company for permission to use the drawings or parts of the drawings as part of your portfolio?

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 3:39 pm
(@derek-g-graham-ols-olip)
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On the topic but not necessarily to this complete matter.

Have a read:

http://www.fig.net/pub/fig2010/papers/ts06j%5Cts06j_mcnamara_4743.pdf

Cheers,

Derek

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 3:43 pm
(@derek-g-graham-ols-olip)
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Look to: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/2008/35.html

Cheers,

Deek

 
Posted : January 22, 2014 3:55 pm
(@holy-cow)
Posts: 25292
 

The reverse question is..............

What would you think if you found someone else posting that plat in their own listing on LinkedIn? Say a fellow co-worker who is in a similar position as you today.

 
Posted : January 23, 2014 8:32 am
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
 

Were you the surveyor of record?

I would hope that anything that I have signed would be considered my work and accessible to me at a simple request.

Of course, that would fall under the umbrella of the company I was working for.

The company was giving me control to be the responsible surveyor in control to seal the survey made under company contract.

Both are responsible for the end product and should share control of the use of product.

I made copies of every document that I have created for my own personal records.

That was something my first mentor said that was my right, circa 1973.

This information is no longer in my possession due to many reasons beyond my control. @#%&*!?

Courts may say different.

😉

 
Posted : January 23, 2014 9:08 pm