Hi a question about copying a web site design?

[Nefrit]

Hi I am a amatuer web designer working in web design company and I was wondering if you surf the web , you visit sites and like their design and set up are you allow to built a site of your own copying the other web sites design. I don't mean copying exactly pixel for pixel / code for code but very close different colors and minor changes to design.. is this legal or does it break some standard of web designs? :D :mad:
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[Administrator]

well, newbies should use reference.
and artwork will not result in identical output.

if its too obviously similar.. its better to seek the owner permission.

[Mirey86]

Design styles aren't necessarily copyrighted, but if you even plan to make a site look similar to another, then make it look even more original than the original one, if you know what I mean. Legal copyright over a style is very rare indeed, let me tell you.

All of these "copyright" footers are little things that you shouldn't always listen to, as, most of the time they're not even legally copyrighted at all, and because it costs a lot of money.

[Abel1337]

However, don't use any of the same pictures, because with pictures you will have a copyright issue on you hands.. Possibly a law suit..

[rhysmeister]

There are loads of free templates you can use.

http://www.google.com/search?q=free+website+templates&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t

[Kurebird]

Dont you have friends that knows about web designing? If you have, just ask them a favor to make you one. But if you dont have one, then I suggest you should invest in a good website....hire a good but cheap web designer.

[caroline]

no its not legal you can b caught for copyright act an this is not allowed

[davidjoshua11]

Well, I think copying a design in some website is the big offense in the owner of the website. Design styles aren't necessarily copyrighted, but if you even plan to make a site look similar to another, then make it look even more original than the original one, if you know what I mean. Legal copyright over a style is very rare indeed, let me tell you.