Professional Practice Architecture Practice Test

How should you respond if a client uses your design without your consent?

1. Forgive and forget

2. Inform the Mayor

3. File a case with the P.R.C.

4. Discuss it with the client

The correct answer is: File a case with the P.R.C.

Filing a case with the P.R.C. (Professional Regulation Commission) is the appropriate response if a client uses your design without your consent. This action is crucial because it addresses the violation of intellectual property rights and upholds the standards of professional conduct within the architecture field. When a design is utilized without permission, it undermines the work and intellectual efforts of the architect, and the P.R.C. serves as an authoritative body that can provide recourse for such grievances. Addressing these issues through formal channels helps uphold the integrity of the profession and ensures that clients are held accountable for their actions. It also reinforces legal protections for architects’ designs, which are often the result of significant time, labor, and creativity. While discussing the issue with the client might seem like a reasonable approach, it may not provide the necessary safeguard against unauthorized use. Simply forgiving and forgetting or informing a local authority, such as the Mayor, does not provide the same level of protection or resolution as taking formal action with a professional oversight body. Thus, reporting the issue through the P.R.C. ensures a structured and documented process is followed, which can lead to a resolution that protects your rights as a designer.