In order to respect the principle of proportionality and, in particular, the rights of the owner of the building in cases involving works of architecture, once created, the works cannot be forfeited. This means that if a copyright infringement is suspected with regard to a work of architecture, preliminary measures must be sought before it is created.
Thus, the plans and documentation relating to the construction of a building can be sequestrated and eventually forfeited. However, after the building has been constructed (or converted), it is no longer possible to forfeit the work of architecture in connection with copyright infringement to destroy it, for example. Nevertheless, under civil law, the claimant can always request for the construction to cease as well as compensation.