swa66 - 11:14 pm on Nov 17, 2009 (gmt 0)

There are trivial steps in interface evolution (e.g. after you find the concept of a back button: adding a forward button.)
There are also huge leaps ahead in interface design: e.g the mouse.

I'd not use "steal" on the trivial parts. On the major leaps: yes that's more like "stealing" if you "copy" it without permission, as it should be patentable to the one inventing it.