Q: Why is specifying knock-offs such a touchy subject with manufacturers?

A: First of all, every contract product, from textiles to carpets and furniture, is copyrighted in order for manufacturers to sell original designs. This process guarantees that both the specifier and the end user will receive top-quality goods. In cases where the copyright license has expired, as in products created 50 or more years ago, many independent manufacturers can legally reproduce these designs under their own label.

In order to find products with lower prices or lesser value, some designers seek to have copyrighted products re-interpreted by independent workrooms. Known as a "knock-offs," these copyright infringements are being widely challenged by the manufacturers of record. Court battles have become so intense that many manufacturers are winning their cases today simply on the grounds of their opponents' "intent" to copy. To lose a court case means stiff financial penalties across the board for the designer, the builder, the purchasing agent, and the offending workroom.

If you are constrained by a tight design budget, you can avoid legal hassles by asking the factory that owns the original copyrighted design to "value engineer" the product for you. Many will oblige this request, so you will be assured of receiving a good quality product without sacrificing your finances or professional integrity. Also, if you don't want your contractor to have your products knocked-off without your consent, be sure to include "as specified" on your spec sheets.

Q: Carpet manufacturers offer so many attractive patterns in their product lines that I get confused as to when I should use one over the other. What are the basic guidelines?

A: Since tile or broadloom carpet is the biggest material used in an interior space, it sets the tone for all the other finishes in the room. But before you choose coordinating colors and patterns, you have to think about the function of that carpet. Many designers trip themselves up by concentrating on aesthetics rather than performance. You need to specify the appropriate pattern for the appropriate space.

The basic rule of thumb is to use multicolored patterns in heavily trafficked areas like cubicles and corridors, and more tone-on-tone patterns in less busy areas like private offices or meeting rooms. Intricate patterns hide dirt better than solids. Carpet styles also come in different scales (to offer designers a choice within one product line) so it's wise to scale down the pattern as you move from open to closed areas: the larger pattern is for the reception area, the medium version is for the office areas, and the smallest version is for back-of-house. And finally, looped carpet is safer for busy areas while plush carpet does well in executive offices.