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is it illegal to copy someone's css??

Discussion in 'CSS' started by libertygone, May 3, 2006.

  1. #1
    is it illegal to copy someone's css?? the content on the pages are different, the only thing the same is the css.
     
    libertygone, May 3, 2006 IP
  2. jrd1mra

    jrd1mra Peon

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    #2
    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.
     
    jrd1mra, May 3, 2006 IP
  3. penagate

    penagate Guest

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    #3
    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
     
    penagate, May 7, 2006 IP
  4. MattUK

    MattUK Notable Member

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    #4
    Yes it's a violation of copyright. Difficult to spot and prove granted, but still illegal.
     
    MattUK, May 8, 2006 IP
  5. Cheap SEO Services

    Cheap SEO Services <------DoFollow Backlinks

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    #5
    I would think one would have to hack in to obtain it? I mean, my css files are hidden. Should they not be?
     
    Cheap SEO Services, May 8, 2006 IP
  6. MattUK

    MattUK Notable Member

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    #6
    No, for example with the Firefox developer tool you can view and edit the CSS on a page that you're viewing.
     
    MattUK, May 8, 2006 IP
  7. Cheap SEO Services

    Cheap SEO Services <------DoFollow Backlinks

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    #7
    Really? I have to check this out!!
     
    Cheap SEO Services, May 8, 2006 IP
  8. Pammer

    Pammer Notable Member

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    #8
    its not illegal, but care to dont copy all things. :)
     
    Pammer, May 8, 2006 IP
  9. MattUK

    MattUK Notable Member

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    #9
    Of course it is, it's copyrighted.
     
    MattUK, May 8, 2006 IP
  10. johneva

    johneva Well-Known Member

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    #10
    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.
     
    johneva, May 8, 2006 IP
  11. libertygone

    libertygone Active Member

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    #11
    i have already changed my css and it is totally different now
    thanks guys
    this thread should be closed
     
    libertygone, May 8, 2006 IP
  12. Mystique

    Mystique Well-Known Member

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    #12
    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.
     
    Mystique, May 8, 2006 IP
    MattUK likes this.
  13. Tribolis

    Tribolis Peon

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    #13
    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.
     
    Tribolis, May 8, 2006 IP