Printing/Copying Proprietary Materials

As a commercial reprographics business, we occasionally are asked questions such as:

• I have a set of plans I downloaded from an online home plans website.  I'd like to get 10 copies.  Can you print them for me?
• I have this original drawing signed by the artist.  My daughter wants a copy for her dorm room.  Can you make me a copy for her to take to campus?
• I obtained a set of house plans of a home builder which I've taken and blocked out certain information from the title block so that it reflects my plan for my house.  I'd like to get ten copies so that I can get bids on the house.  Can you print this for me?

So, what to do?

Each of these scenarios (which we have encountered) present a challenge to anyone in the print or copy business.  Each of these requests are asking for copies of proprietary information or product.  Proprietary information is usually protected by a copyright.  Works of art are not usually marked as such, but nonetheless are similarly protected.  Essentially, such original works represent time and talent that a third party has expended for its own use and purpose - whether a work of art, a set of unique house plans or a set of plans available to the general public through an online house plans website.  Therefore, these items cannot be copied or reproduced without the permission of the person or entity holding the proprietary right.

Thus, the answer to these questions is "No, we cannot!"