Some of you here probably use facebook, and know they are going to be switching over to a new design. Once they have switched over so that the new design is the only design, will they have rights to sue any website that looks like the old facebook?
Yes, they still hold copyright to the old design until it drops into the public domain, which won't be for at least another 70 years. It doesn't matter in terms of copyright but you are able to change your facebook settings to be of the old design.
They recently announced that soon the new facebook design will be the only facebook. Meaning the old facebook design won't really exist anymore. When I think of a good example to show my thinking on it I will reply again. There is some logic behind my thoughts >_>. How can something that doesn't exist be copyrighted (because it won't exist after they get rid of it)
It doesn't matter, they created the design so they own the copyright so they control what people do with it. Under current laws they own the copyright for the natural lifespan of the creator of the work + 70 years. Whether or not they currently use the design on the site is irrelevant. Just because something is not currently in use doesn't mean you can rip it off.
I agree with MelogKnaj. What you're saying Arson, is similar to the situation in which a painting was destroyed. Assume that a modern painting that was hanging in a gallery (where the artist is still alive, to make it easier) is destroyed in a fire. The artist decides that he doesn't want to recreate the painting. He still owns the right to keep you from painting a reproduction. Even though the painting no longer exists. Understand? Deena ____________________________________________________________________________ Any opinions are offered without knowledge of the specific law of your jurisdiction and with only the limited information provided in your post. No advice given here should be reasonably relied upon by you or any third party without consulting an attorney who is aware of all of the facts and law surrounding your situation. Any advice given here is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship in any way.
If you had witnessed and documentation yes you could. Facebook on the other hand would have a very easy time proving they own the site design. First they have all the original files they coded to make it, and second several million people used facebooks old design will it was in existence.