Copying css and html code from others, Copyright infringement?

Question

This might not be a coding question, but very relevant to coding so I hoped I would get an answer here. All coders, maybe specially designer. Use others code in there own code. If you see something you like. you use that code in your design. In some degree, I'm sure every coder does this. So I was wondering where the line goes.

Can you use others complete css file and have a almost identical design as another site? With completely different content off course. Or is this Copyright infringement? And how can you confirm that people have Copyright on something?

Where can you find information on the laws on this? Thanks

Answer 1

I don't think the code itself, or a part of it, will be seen as a copyright infringement, by a judge. As long as your site doesn't look to much the same, in design, it should not be a problem.

Answer 2

All code, like all content, unless explicitly released under a more permissive license, is copyrighted. Copying snippets of neat features on other sites, which is, of course, done a lot, will probably fall under "Fair Use" (look it up) in the US, or similar regulations elsewhere. However, copying a complete style sheet or HTML template, without prior permission from the author, is illegal. There's a lot of free and gratis HTML+CSS templates out there, you can always start from those to create your own design and code. Do, however, read the terms and conditions carefully; "forgetting" an acknowledgement probably isn't allowed either, and makes you look double the fool.