Forgive me if the question is oh so terribly noob. I searched the forums and didn't seem to find any relevant matches. I'd like to know if it's considered copyright infringement to mock someone's design (completely ignoring the content). Let's say I was starting a new site, and was looking for design idas. I saw a design while browising that I thought was a knockout. It was also more recognizable than a collection of tables. Of coourse it has a copyright down at the bottom. Let's say I make my own. Looks A LOT like it, curves in the same spots. graphic in the same spot, etc. Is this copyright infringment? Thanks for your insight in advance, Steve
If you close that site and design the template for it from scratch, from memory, probably not, but if you copy their template then in my opinion definately yes.
If the site uses any CSS check to see if the DIV's & Classes are named the same as your design. This is a good way to tell if they have ripped the design straight from your site. You obviously feel like your copyright has been infringred. Try contacting the site owner to tell them you know they ripped you off. Politely ask them to rework their site. Nine times out of ten they'll go and rip someone else off. Are you both in the same field?
I agree with the above. Check the code and see if it is similar. Are the images the same or just similar? There is a difference between inspiration and blatant copying though.
Thanks for you response. Completely different industries. No css. Just html and clever graphics work.
well, to be completely honest, it was me who may have been the ripoff. I considered it inspiration and really didn't give it much thought until a friend kinda cornered me. See what you think yourself: inspiration: http://www.affiliateshop.com my site: http://www.sportsintensity.com
I see nothing wrong with that myself. The main image shares the same shape, but that's about it. I wouldn't be concerned about it.