Law Commons^™

Copyrightability Of Leed-Certified Buildings: Approaching The Awcpa To Promote Green Architecture, Stephen Accursio Maniscalco

St. John's Law Review

(Excerpt)

Part I of this Note discusses green architecture, the history and structure of the LEED certification system, and the history and structure of the AWCPA. Part II discusses the approaches courts have taken in applying the AWCPA. Finally, Part III explores ways that LEED may affect courts’ analyses. It explains why and how courts may deny copyright protection in many elements of LEED-certified architectural works. It then proposes a reading of the AWCPA that will provide appropriate copyright protection to green buildings that are original in design. This Note argues that courts should not consider green market demands, the …