is it illegal to copy someone's css??

is it illegal to copy someone's css?? the content on the pages are different, the only thing the same is the css.

 

if the site looks the same it could be considered illegal. But HTML and CSS are open source code and you can use any element of them you wish freely. However, as my understanding of copyright goes, the css file/html or other programming file is considered a "writing" and direct duplication is illegal.

besides, someone put their hard earned time and effort into building the css file. Maybe you should consider doing the same.

 

Hi,

Personally, I couldn't give a crap if someone copies bits of my stylesheet. But if you copy a whole stylesheet you're effectively copying their design and unless it's a free template you can't do that.

- P

 

Yes it's a violation of copyright. Difficult to spot and prove granted, but still illegal.

 

I would think one would have to hack in to obtain it? I mean, my css files are hidden. Should they not be?

 

No, for example with the Firefox developer tool you can view and edit the CSS on a page that you're viewing.

 

Really? I have to check this out!!

 

its not illegal, but care to dont copy all things.

 

Of course it is, it's copyrighted.

 

You mean your style sheet here?

http://www.ideliverit.com/theme/theme.css

Not very hidden as far as I can see took nomore hacking than it would any other site. You have to link to the file in you HTML/XHTML so if you look at the HTML/XHTML it shows the location of your CSS file.

The only way to stop you doing this is to encode you HTML/XHTML file but even then it is so easy to get round it, it has to be for you browser to be able to read the code and display your page.

As one of the others say you can look at and edit the CSS directly in some browsers such as Firefox.

*******************************

As for the original question yes it is copywrite to copy the whole CSS file.

But why would you want to if you copy the whole file then your styles would be the same as the site you have copied them from.

Do you not enjoy making websites?

I know When I make websites I want sites to look how I wanted them not how somebody else has already designed a site.

If youre to lazy to make your owen site then get a template dont copy other peoples work unless they are offering it to you.

 

i have already changed my css and it is totally different now
thanks guys
this thread should be closed

 

Even hidden the files you can get the stylesheet either with FireFox, Netscape, Opera and even Internet Explorer by saving the page.

Apart of copy, there is another fact.

If you take anyone's stylesheet because you like the colours or whatever else, you probably will not use all the tags written on it.

such unused tags do count, affecting your page loading time, so it has not sense use a stylesheet that doesn not belong to you.

 

I don't think its a good idea to steal someone's css unless you're TESTING/LEARNING then code on your own.

Also if your site and other css you copy from, it'll look rip off.