Website idea/concept infringement?

[Sloop John D]

While an idea itself does not have copyrights, an expression of an idea will have copyrights. If a web designer has created a site based on his idea, then the site itself is copyrightable and people may infringe on that copyright by copying the design.

 

[quincy]

After a very cursory review of the two sites, I could not see any similarity between them, pyledw, other than the fact that they both work to connect consumers with businesses. This is not exactly a novel idea, and ideas cannot be copyrighted anyway.

I also did not see any copyrighted content from one site that looked to infringe on the other.

And then, with the trademarked business names and logos, there was little similarity between the two. Trademark law centers on consumer confusion and I do not see that a consumer would confuse your business with the other business.

However, if you are worried by the threats of legal action (and threats to sue are naturally worrisome), I suggest you head to an attorney's office in your area and ask for a review of all facts. The attorney could potentially respond to the threats you've received with a "knock it off" letter sent to the owners of the other site. Hopefully this will work to stop the harassment.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
TN

Hello, I am a web designer, and I have recently created a website was based off an existing site. My issue is that the owner of the other site is threatening legal action because he is claiming I stole his idea. Well, I did steal his idea, however it is my understanding that an idea has no copyright on it... our site names ar differentiated by a dash, and I have take no graphics, slogan, or jargen from his site. Only the concept idea. My question is, does he have an actual legal grounds? My in appearance does not resemble his. I did being the worry wart I am take my site down until I have time to fully investigate his claims. I do not want to be in a legal battle.

I just want to know if there is any legal claims that he could make against me.

p.s. He holds zero patents and copyrights with the US government.

Quoted to remove links

 

[pyledw]

Thanks

Thanks very much for the input. I kinda figured as much. I have actually changed my idea some to target corporations instead of college students.... Figured I would rather have a bigger differentiation between my site and his anyway. This is not an idea I ever expect to have any real world traction. It was mainly a project I did for myself in order to learn a new programming language, that is why I was so surprised when he confronted me about it. I hope that by changing my target audience that will give me even more distance from his concept and design. Thanks again for the responses!

 

[quincy]

So the link to your site was actually to your "reinvented" site? That could explain why the two sites didn't look alike.

And you're welcome, pyledw. I wish you much success with your website business.



Thanks, Zigner, for removing the links. I remember thinking when I first posted that I should ask pyledw to remove the links and then, after seeing your post, I remembered that I didn't remember.

 

[pyledw]

Link

Sorry, I always forget about the links. Thanks for all the help guys.