Would this be a Copyright infringement

many input form fields

[ddd5280]

I am developing a website that displays classified ads.

Where the user inputs all of his ad information with input form fields, (like inputting in the square feet of a room) would i be infringing on my main competitor's site if i have the same exact form fields as they do?

I plan on listing these input form fields in a different order, with different colors, with different form variables and the questions will be different such as "Enter SQ. FT" mine might read "Input Square FT".

Any infringement if i have all the same input form fields? The main reason i ask is that there over 100 different input fields on the insert listing page.

[bird]

Only Expression can be copyrighted, not functionality.

The fields of an input form are functionality, not expression.

[BigDave]

Why would you have a list of the exact same 100 or so fields? Can't you think of anything to add or take away?

Even if it isn't any sort of infringement, it seems pretty tacky to me if you are copying that many form fields.

[monkeythumpa]

This reminds me of a New Bob Newhart show where he is sued because he wrote a DIY Home Repair book. I guess he wrote something like "turn the screw counter clockwise" while another book used the same phrase.

Now how many ways can you say something like that without duplicating something already written?

[BigDave]

I guess he wrote something like "turn the screw counter clockwise" while another book used the same phrase.

At least with software copyright that is referred to as "efficiency", and I suspect that it applies elsewhere.

If there are only a few ways to efficiently say something, you cannot claim copyright protection on that.

"Beat the egg whites till they reach soft peak" is the most efficient way to describe that process and take no unique creativity. It would not receive protection.

The next guy that comes along should not have to reword that.

On the other hand, "You stick the mixer in the egg whites and let 'er rip until you can pull out the mixer and hold it upside down (turn it off first) and the tiny peaks of foam should stand up, but still flop over just a little". Is not very efficient, and has a fair amount of creativity as compared to the short version. It would receive protection.

Another thing you could call it would be a common sense test. If common sense tells the judge that you should not be able to claim copyright on something, even if the law might imply that you can, the judge will find a way to rule against you.

[ddd5280]

Thanks all for your thoughts.

I guess i don't need to use all 100 form fields exact like my competitor, i will change at least 10% of them, that way i will not have any worries.