Forum Moderators: not2easy
I found a site and I like its design very much. Can I take the source of the site, modify it a little and use the design for my site? Ofcouse with little changes (logo etc.) I would use only the design, I have my own content. I don't think I would break any copyright just for imitating/using the design of one site.
Please answer. Thank you.
I don't think I would break any copyright just for imitating/using the design of one site.
Mmm, not sure if I agree with you. Although it all depends on how much of the site you are blatantly copying and how much original code/content/design you are adding.
From a common sense point of view, I don't have any problem with people admiring, for example, the colour scheme on a site and then using something similar on their own site. But I think totally copying the source code/images and modifying it slightly would be rather underhanded. Someone has probably paid a designer wads of cash to design the site... why should anyone and everyone be allowed to leech off their investment? This is not directed at you, it's merely a general statement :-)
From a legal point of view, I'm not a lawyer, but I would imagine that this would also constitute a derivative work. Therefore it would be covered by the original site creator's copyright and would mean that you would be violating copyright.
There is a fine line between being inspired and influenced by a design and copying the design. The line would be different in every unique case.
I agree that a site can't copyright the colour scheme and table layout, but just be careful that you don't grab any of their images... that would be on the bad side of the line mentioned above :-)
PS: hmmm... a small grey bar could be counted as a copiright image? I need that from their site too.
Maybe I'm getting a little paranoid. Copyright for a gray bar would be weird...
I agree, copyright over a small gray bar would be pretty weird, but it would still be a copyright. Assuming that there was some way of proving that it came from their site. A digital watermark perhaps?
Could you not just make the gray bar yourself, in photoshop or whatever?
...a small grey bar could be counted as a copiright image? I need that from their site too.
Your claim of necessity could lead one to conclude that you have no intention of using this other site's design as an "inspiration" for you own design, but that you actually intend to copy this other person's site whole, making only the changes necessary to present the other site as belonging to you (such as replacing his name, e-mail address, and copyright notice with yours).
If this potential conclusion is incorrect, then please clarify what you are planning on doing with this other site's files, that you "need" everything they've produced. Thank you.
Eliz.
The answer isn't clear in this situation. You might also want to read through the U.S. government's site for a better understanding of what can be copyrighted.
[copyright.gov...]
WHAT WORKS ARE PROTECTED?
...
These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most "compilations" may be registered as "literary works"
The answer may not be clear, but that won't stop somebody from issuing you a cease and desist letter for using their design. If they send the C&D to your host or ISP, then more than likely your host or ISP will tell you to take down the design. You can fight it obviously, but it may be more trouble than it's worth.
To avoid trouble like this, make sure your source and the end result design is unique enough so it's not an exact duplicate.
A lot of people don't like their designs being stolen because it dilutes the value of the original design.
