Is illegal to use the Look And Feel of Joomla in a non Open Source Web Application?

Question

Hi, I'm developing a propietary (non Open Source) Web Application in ASP.NET, and I want to use the Look And Feel of Joomla (images, control distribution, etc.). Is this illegal? I'm violating the license doing this?

Answer 1

If you think it might be a copyright violation, you'd best err on the side of caution.

Answer 2

I'd set aside some time and start reading. Good luck!

EDIT: Joomla is under licensed under GPL if I recall.

Answer 3

Copyright of look and feel is complicated. You should always consult a lawyer regarding something like this, but I think if you use Joomla an inspiration for a design you write yourself you have nothing to worry about. If you're copying it wholesale or using their graphics files you will be on shakier ground.

In general, I believe graphics files will have stronger copyright protections than a stylesheet.

Answer 4

Unless the images in Joomla are released under a Creative common license, I would avoid using them.

If you want to emulate the look and feel, I think you should be fine. (Note: I am not a lawyer so I might be wrong)