Sometimes. Although designs usually are regarded as uncopyrightable ideas, Congress enacted legislation in 1990 providing copyright-like protection for architectural designs. An architectural work is defined as “the design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings.” Protection extends to architectural works created on or after December 1, 1990, and also to any architectural works that were unconstructed and embodied in unpublished plans or drawings on December 1, 1990 that were constructed by December 31, 2002.Architectural designs embodied in buildings constructed prior to December 1, 1990, are not eligible for protection. Standard features and attributes may not be claimed.