Settlement reached in home design plans lawsuit

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The parties involved in a federal lawsuit over copyright infringement, spurred by the alleged theft of home design plans, have reached a settlement.

Muskego-based Burback Builders LLC sued Kansasville-based Haven Creek Homes LLC in August, claiming the company stole plans and used them to build a house for Rodney and Carol Bruno.

The Brunos worked with Burback to design the home, according to court documents, and then allegedly gave those plans to Haven Creek. Burback’s suit also named the Brunos and Amherst-based Blenker Building Systems Inc., which helped Haven Creek build the home.

The case reached a settlement Tuesday. In response to a request for comment, Mark Hinkston, an attorney with Racine-based Knuteson, Hinkston & Quinn SC who represented Haven Creek, provided a written statement on behalf of all parties in the case.

“The parties reached a settlement that disposes of the litigation and entirely resolves all of the parties’ claims in their entirety,” according to the statement. “As is done in many cases of this sort, and as allowed by the Court, the parties agreed to keep the settlement terms private and confidential. While the specific terms cannot be disclosed, please be aware that the settlement is neither an admission of liability on the part of any defendants nor a concession by plaintiff that any of defendants’ defenses had merit.”

— Beth Kevit