Is it legal to have a similar design to another website?

[ChrisChris]

Hey all,

Is it illegal to have a website design very similar to another websites? The website it's similar too has the same concept as mine.

Thanks
Chris

 

[accent]

Legal? Depends on how close (code and text) and if it is original work. If they just copied the concept and not the words, and set up their own HTML then they are legal unless the concept is really unique and even then you might need a patent.

Anything you write yourself is automatically copyrighted then and there. (such as this post) If they take your words then they violate copyright.

Enforcing copyright is another matter, with lawyers involved the cost gets way out of bounds very quickly. A pleasant but firm letter explaining why you feel they are copying your site would perhaps get them to change it. Perhaps.

 

[ChrisChris]

Thanks for the reply - they are a similar layout and colours but its my own HTML and words. The concept isn't very original - there are quite a few sites like it

 

[Skinny]

Didn't some site copy diggs css. They got in trouble for doing that.

Skinny

 

[Alex.]

i am trying to design a site, but the design is similar to ******
though my actual concept is link exchange rather than buy a button.

is this legal

 

[accent]

Why copy the design? It is easy enough to make your own. Particularly since you have placed their site name in this forum (Google sees all - no kidding. It would be a good idea to edit that out.)

 

[Alex.]

I've changed my mind, and I'm actually going to see if I can find a designer at a good price to make a design for me, as all my designs are tacky lol, and I want to get at least one good site done.
thanks for tip

 

[ChrisChris]

Particularly since you have placed their site name in this forum (Google sees all - no kidding. It would be a good idea to edit that out.)

I dont get what you mean by that