What's This Lawsuit Really About?

The intent is to eliminate the unreasonable legislation surrounding Interior Design licensing and restore the right to earn an honest living free from anti-competetive and arbitrary government regulation.

The Latest Information

On February 4th, Federal District Judge Robert L. Hinkle declared unconstitutional a Florida law that prohibited people without a license from referring to themselves as interior designers. The ruling also sharply narrowed provisions of the law restricting the practice of interior design in commercial buildings by unlicensed persons.

The Institute for Justice plans to appeal the ruling to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that Florida’s interior design restrictions are unconstitutional and should be struck down entirely.

Read the Institute for Justice Press Release

Please spread the word and thank you for your continued support.

How You can Help

• Email this link. You can be a great help simply by spreading the word. Email this link to anyone you know that might be interested in what's happening.
• Help with the lawsuit. The lawsuit being filed by the Institute for Justice could use potential witnesses who may have been affected adversely by the design laws or know people who have. To participate contact Paul Sherman or Clark Neily
• Voice your opinion. There are lots of blogs on the subject out there (some links provided to the right). Speak your mind and learn more about the issue.
• Please join IDPC. The only national organization exclusively dedicated to protecting designers' rights and livelihoods. Join Now

More Information

• Institute for Justice overview of the lawsuit
• Institute for Justice website
• The Interior Design Protection Council (IDPC) website
• Join IDPC. Be a part of the solution!
• NKBA's position on legislation
• Do you need legal representation?

In Other News

• New Connecticut wins their challange against the title act.
• Florida Governor Signs Bill Regarding Foodservice Dealers and Kitchen Design
• Designers Wage War Over Legislation
• Contract Magazine (2005) - "Interior Design and the Public Interest"
• Alabama Supreme Court Invalidated Interior Design Practice Act
• Interior Design Legislation - In the News

Videos

• IJ video "Free to Design: Florida Entrepreneurs Take On the Interior Design Cartel"
• Reason TV video focuses on Florida's fight

Blogs

• Patti Morrow: Student coercion swept under the [designer] rug
• Patti Morrow responds to AIP denial of heavy-handed influence « Interior Design Protection Council
• AIP Instructor assigns students to lobby for extra credit
• Do interior design licensing laws impact real estate/home stagers?
• Messing with the Interior Design Mafia?
• [IJ] Challenges Licensing of Speech For Interior Designers
• IDPC Blog discusses the case
• No Design Legislation
• ASID's Licensing Spin is Dizzying
• Backpeddling.....As Fast As They Can!
• IDPC - Call to take action!
• Interior Design Freedom Coalition
• Patti Morrow vs. desperate Florida designers
• Protect Your Right to Practice Interior Design