"Inspired" Web Design

Post Reply New Topic

Hey!
Im not very used to web design, although I am getting better, I am by no means awesome at it. One day, I think I will be alright at it, but for now I am not .So I usualy look at other peoples designs and put them together (With COMPLETELY my own code ofcorse) to the point where it would be reasonably hard to tell who made it if anyone.
Could I get sued or told off for being inspired by multiple designs from multiple people?
Thanks!

Hello, if you use your own html, css, javascript, and your own pictures and fonts, then I think there are no problem.
Edit: I don't think it is possible to get a design patent for a web site, but I'm not sure.

You can't get sued for inspiration, you can get sued for trying to produce an identical copy of a trademark etc or for copy & paste.


It is worth noting that a lot of commercial photo/image copyright holders have custom web bots that will detect you if you steal images off them and they will definitely sue you.

You can file suit against someone for pretty much any reason at all. Winning, however, is an entirely different matter. That said, defending a lawsuit, even a frivolous one, costs money - which is why it's such an effective tactic.

And for that matter, you can get told off for anything too.

As long as you (and your employer, if any are involved) know the work is yours, the design is yours, even if it's a derivation, you're probably ok.

That said, I'd look to incorporate elements from many sites, rather than mostly derive your work from a single inspiration.

The layout of the site is sort of copying the one design and the header and some of the layout is copied from another on devient art. Its not a carbon copy exactly, but it does look a little like them.
Think I should be ok then?

I hesitate to offer legal advice, but from a practical perspective - unless you're blatantly ripping off someone elses design (regardless of whether you re-code it yourself or not), or taking substantial design elements from a competitor, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Intellectual Property law is extremely complicated, and so the law may or may not be on your side - but the simple fact of the matter is people aren't going to sue you unless they can get something out of it, or you really piss somebody off.

Yeah. Well, all they have to do is ask and its gone.
Hopefuly the more I do web dev the better I will get at design. I think I might even buy some web design magazines.

I'm not an intellectual properties lawyer, but I think that sort of thing falls within "Fair Use".

Biggest question, are you (or someone you're working for) making money from it?

Nope... Although I might decide to put ads on it, but I dont think I will have enough room nor do I think the project will be big enough for that.