Copying someone else's website design

Question

Design

There is such a question. There is one very popular Russian site (it doesn't matter which one). There is a project that is similar in principle (the device is the same), but the main focus is completely different and the possibilities are completely different. And so it turns out that the best thing would be to take the design of this popular site (in particular, this is the only convenient design)

And I would like to know if it is possible to simply take and copy most of the design? Of course, write everything from scratch in your own way (CSS/JS/HTML) i.e. the functionality is slightly different, but the design is very similar (the same placement of blocks, menus, color selection (shades can be changed)). Or will it not look good? And in general, can there be problems with the copyright for the design?

It is not necessary to completely clone the interface, but only the location of the data on the page and their design

Answer 1

“Borrow the layout of information blocks” and “copy the design” are slightly different concepts.

Answer 2

A moot point =) Depends on the number of blocks. But in any case, I think if it is very similar, then the owner of “no matter what site” may be offended, and then it is not known how he will behave.

Answer 3

It's not worth copying. Still, respect copyright.
But the processing of the concept for your project may well take place.
After all, most sites have a three-column grid, as well as a similar arrangement of blocks.
As for the design of blocks - depending on what you understand by this.

Answer 4

Yes, there is a copyright for the design. There is its author, there is a customer and there is an agreement between them. If you steal a design, wait for a letter from lawyers. Well, in general, it will look shameful.

Answer 5

Buy all the same template some similar.
He is the best - most likely not because he is really the best, but simply because he is constantly in front of his eyes.

Answer 6

I doubt that this is “the only convenient design” - try to search among foreign analogues, and partially borrow the layout / design (of course, if the task is not to create a fake)

Answer 7

Play with the colors and design, the position of the blocks - what if it turns out better and more convenient?
The audience with the Russian site, as far as I understand, will almost never intersect. So, even if another site may be the de facto interface standard, it doesn't mean anything to you.

Answer 8

Layout <> Design, so copying the layout of the elements is absolutely not critical. Moreover, there are standard block layouts that are familiar to people, and they expect a similar layout from other sites (in particular, e-commerce) and this is a completely normal practice.
But copying the elements themselves is not very good.