1. "I don't know if it will constitute infringement": My own use will not constitute infringement, but using it for commercial exhibitions or sales will be suspected of infringement.
2. "This set of buildings has been used to make craft ornaments and is now selling well. If I only imitate the appearance but the materials are different, will it also constitute infringement?":
(1) The ornaments made by others are selling well: it does not mean that if you sell them, you will not infringe: others may have obtained the permission of the architectural designer to sell them legally;
Even if others do not, they will not infringe the law. Obtaining a license is an illegal sale: if someone else's infringement is not discovered and sanctioned, it does not mean that you can do it, and if you do it, it is legal. For this kind of thing, the architectural designer must bear the responsibility if he discovers the infringement and holds him accountable. Being undiscovered and not held accountable does not mean it is legal, it can only be said to be a fluke.
(2) Famous buildings may have design patents and appearance patents. This does not mean that if you change the quality of the village, you will not infringe.
3. "The important question is, how can I ensure that the appearance does not change much and avoid infringement issues? For example, as long as the materials are changed or the structure is different, infringement can be avoided":
p>(1) Simply changing the material: Avoiding suspicion of infringement.
(2) If you want to avoid infringement: This is only possible if you make major changes in appearance and are significantly different from the design.
4. Infringements happen from time to time. If you don’t make much profit and are not discovered, nothing will happen; once you are discovered, it will be difficult to tell.