Acadia University Convocation 2017
As Acadia University finishes polishing its exquisitely embellished campus in preparation to usher another several hundred graduates into the world, I am struck by many ironies.
As my hometown “lustres up”, I am enveloped in the Acadia patina, preparing to challenge Acadia’s proclamation that my creative work is not worthy of copyright protection. The legal quagmire is in its 4th year with Appeal proceedings scheduled for May 23rd in the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Acadia University’s role as an academic authority and grantor of scholarly certificates creates a rather mystical presence in the small town of Wolfville, much like any small “university town”.
“Acadia University” arouses honour, pride, respect, and admiration. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who publicly denounces or degrades Acadia. It is, undeniably, a very valuable asset.
Obviously, universities play a major role in preparing the potent minds of our youth. Universities gain esteemed reputations as de facto directors and guardians of moral, ethical, social, and of course academic standards. This responsibility engenders a very powerful and influential voice.
When Acadia University expresses a position, people listen.
Why am I begging you to listen to me?...and why should it matter to you? My cause is one that should raise concern for anyone who depends upon Intellectual Property rights to earn a living. Acadia University proclaims that my original design drawings are not worthy of copyright protection.
I am the principal designer of my company PIER101 Home Designs Inc.
I have worked as an intern architect, production designer, teacher, building designer, and artist for the 25 years since earning two university degrees, Bachelor’s Environmental Design Studies, and Master’s of Architecture, proudly earned from TUNS / Dalhousie University.
In the summer of 2013, PIER101 was asked to design an addition to the existing Alumni Hall. PIER101 was compensated for use of a presentation drawing to acquire funding from the Wu family.
Acadia then assumed and appropriated all copyrights associated with my drawings, claiming that my drawings were “mere mechanical exercise” in “accordance with Acadia’s judgment and creative vision”.
The extent of Acadia's creative vision was expressed with verbal descriptions in July 2013. Acadia sought approximately a 4000 sq. ft. addition on the "west side"..."provide high visibility”. PIER101 provided several schematic versions for review. Acadia opted for PIER101's version which located a large gabled form to the north, a hard landscaped sweeping arc gathering space, pergola, and other architectural components. The PIER101 design was described by Acadia as a "home run".
Acadia’s proclamations have cost me many thousands of dollars, deterioration of my design company, and many years of legal toiling.
Acadia University decries that “the drawings lack sufficient uniqueness and artistic quality to warrant them capable of being protected by copyright”
Acadia has also actively participated in efforts to damage my company and personal reputations.
N.B. Image Overlay is two pages of Acadia’s Notice of Contest filed Dec 2015 preceding Supreme Court hearing of June 2016, where Justice Chipman dismissed PIER101's claims of Copyright Infringement and awarded costs in excess of $40,000 against Laura MacNutt and PIER101. All of these records are a matter of public record.
As Acadia University finishes polishing its exquisitely embellished campus in preparation to usher another several hundred graduates into the world, I am struck by many ironies.
As my hometown “lustres up”, I am enveloped in the Acadia patina, preparing to challenge Acadia’s proclamation that my creative work is not worthy of copyright protection. The legal quagmire is in its 4th year with Appeal proceedings scheduled for May 23rd in the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Acadia University’s role as an academic authority and grantor of scholarly certificates creates a rather mystical presence in the small town of Wolfville, much like any small “university town”.
“Acadia University” arouses honour, pride, respect, and admiration. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who publicly denounces or degrades Acadia. It is, undeniably, a very valuable asset.
Obviously, universities play a major role in preparing the potent minds of our youth. Universities gain esteemed reputations as de facto directors and guardians of moral, ethical, social, and of course academic standards. This responsibility engenders a very powerful and influential voice.
When Acadia University expresses a position, people listen.
Why am I begging you to listen to me?...and why should it matter to you? My cause is one that should raise concern for anyone who depends upon Intellectual Property rights to earn a living. Acadia University proclaims that my original design drawings are not worthy of copyright protection.
I am the principal designer of my company PIER101 Home Designs Inc.
I have worked as an intern architect, production designer, teacher, building designer, and artist for the 25 years since earning two university degrees, Bachelor’s Environmental Design Studies, and Master’s of Architecture, proudly earned from TUNS / Dalhousie University.
In the summer of 2013, PIER101 was asked to design an addition to the existing Alumni Hall. PIER101 was compensated for use of a presentation drawing to acquire funding from the Wu family.
Acadia then assumed and appropriated all copyrights associated with my drawings, claiming that my drawings were “mere mechanical exercise” in “accordance with Acadia’s judgment and creative vision”.
The extent of Acadia's creative vision was expressed with verbal descriptions in July 2013. Acadia sought approximately a 4000 sq. ft. addition on the "west side"..."provide high visibility”. PIER101 provided several schematic versions for review. Acadia opted for PIER101's version which located a large gabled form to the north, a hard landscaped sweeping arc gathering space, pergola, and other architectural components. The PIER101 design was described by Acadia as a "home run".
- Acadia used PIER101 drawings to acquire a development permit.
- Acadia transmitted my drawings to media.
- Acadia gave my drawings to a competitor, Troy Scott, who I maintain, copied my creative work and completed the design/build of the project.
Acadia’s proclamations have cost me many thousands of dollars, deterioration of my design company, and many years of legal toiling.
Acadia University decries that “the drawings lack sufficient uniqueness and artistic quality to warrant them capable of being protected by copyright”
Acadia has also actively participated in efforts to damage my company and personal reputations.
N.B. Image Overlay is two pages of Acadia’s Notice of Contest filed Dec 2015 preceding Supreme Court hearing of June 2016, where Justice Chipman dismissed PIER101's claims of Copyright Infringement and awarded costs in excess of $40,000 against Laura MacNutt and PIER101. All of these records are a matter of public record.