TYLER — A Conroe architect is suing a home builder, alleging the defendant copied the plaintiff's technical drawings.
Monte Smith, doing business as Monte Smith Designs, filed a lawsuit May 5 in the Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas against J.T.J. Inc., doing business as Security Custom Homes, and Jay E. Hartsell alleging copyright infringement.
According to the complaint, between 2014 and 2015, Smith was damaged as a result of his designs being copied. The plaintiff alleges the defendants used one or more of Smith's designs, and began to advertise a house in Terrell that was derived from the plaintiff's plan.
Smith requests trial by jury and seeks an order for the defendant to destroy all copies of copyrighted works, plus all damages and profits derived from the defendant's infringement, injunctive relief, and any other relief the court deems just. He is represented by attorneys Louis K Bonham and Califf T. Cooper of Osha Liang LLP in Houston.
Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas Case number 6:16-cv-00398-MHS-JDL