Metricon and Porter Davis in Legal Battle
In Federal Court last month, Metricon was found guilty of reproducing a substantial feature of a Porter Davis designed home, and in doing so infringed a Porter Davis copyright. Justice John Gilmour said the feature in question, an “alfresco quadrant” which clusters a kitchen, dining, family and rumpus room around an outdoor area, was replicated in five Metricon home designs – the Prada, the Tyrell, the Streeton, the Connelly and the Coburn.
The idea first appeared in Porter Davis’ Seattle, and later its Memphis home designs.
A spokesman for Metricon confirmed it will appeal the Court’s decision. He said it would be inappropriate to make a comment while the matter is being legally dealt with.
In court Metricon argued the similarly laid out floor plans were common in project homes, due to their need to fit houses on more compact blocks.
