/    Sign up×
Community /Pin to ProfileBookmark

Emulating another website

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
Feb 24.2005

I was wondering if it would be morally wrong or even illegal to “borrow” ideas from other websites? I’m not talking about copying them word for word. Just say I like the way a site is set up or the way it functions and wanted to do something similar. Say I like a certain layout and want to have a similar layout. Or maybe I see a form and want to add a similar form to my site.

to post a comment
Full-stack Developer

4 Comments(s) ↴

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@DaveSWFeb 24.2005 — or, say someone else has a two column layout, can you have a two column layout too? lol

I'd say the answer is this: You can duplicate the functionality, you can follow the look, just don't directly steal anything!! if you want your site to look like something else, look at the something else then go away and make your own. If you can do it without making it look too close, then fine.

There is nothing wrong in getting inspiration from other people's sites.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@bkjuniorauthorFeb 24.2005 — So then...

As long as I'm not stealing code, images, text, etc and as long as there's no chance of people getting my site confused with another, I should be okay?
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@DaveSWFeb 25.2005 — should be.

Let's take an example. Cars. I don't know if you have the same models where you live so you might have to do a google image search to see what I mean.

Look at an Audi A3.

Then look at the new Vauxhaul/Opel Astra. The rear of the car is very similar.

Then look at the new Toyota Corolla. Same again.

Next compare the Seat Leon back end, and the new Ford Focus. Close.

With any form of design there are only so many permutations. With 8 billion web pages some of them are going to be similar. If anybody asks then you say, 'yes, my design was inspired by...'.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@bkjuniorauthorFeb 26.2005 — inspired by...I like that. The site I'm developing was inspired by a few others. Some parts vaguely resemble one site, other parts more closely resemble another site, and so on. I don't want to be branded as copying someones ideas, but there's only so many ways to layout a form with the information my users will be inputting. As far as a direct copy, it's not. In fact, one of my inspirations is a site built with asp and I'm on a unix box developing in php.
×

Success!

Help @bkjunior spread the word by sharing this article on Twitter...

Tweet This
Sign in
Forgot password?
Sign in with TwitchSign in with GithubCreate Account
about: ({
version: 0.1.9 — BETA 6.18,
whats_new: community page,
up_next: more Davinci•003 tasks,
coming_soon: events calendar,
social: @webDeveloperHQ
});

legal: ({
terms: of use,
privacy: policy
});
changelog: (
version: 0.1.9,
notes: added community page

version: 0.1.8,
notes: added Davinci•003

version: 0.1.7,
notes: upvote answers to bounties

version: 0.1.6,
notes: article editor refresh
)...
recent_tips: (
tipper: @nearjob,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @meenaratha,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @meenaratha,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,
)...