Hello all,

I was always wondering if ripping a template is legal. I have noticed that there are many softwares available which you can use to clone a website.

Is using such softwares legal at all? I see many websites offering templates like templatemonster and many others and I was wondering if you have come across any law suit related to ripping or cloning a template from such template providers?

 

I have been searching some UK forums but cannot find anything related to people being sued by template providers in the UK.

 

I would like to add that I am not planning on using one but since I am trying to become a web designer freelancer I think any information will be valuable.

 

Thank you for your replies

Of course it is illegal. You are stealing copyrighted work. You can use copyrighted work by paying for the relevant license.

 

You're describing an act of piracy.

Edited October 5, 201313 yr by andy9l

thanks for your reply.

 

I wonder why there is nothing to find about this on the internet, I mean about ripping and website cloning. I mean court cases related to website ripping or warning letters.

I am writing an article about this and would like to have detailed information.

 

thanks

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm is a good start - if you're not in the UK your local government site will have similar information.

Hi,

I agree with BlueDreamer, there are also further websites you can look at such as Legislation.gov.uk and casecheck.co.uk. If you cannot find anyone being sued within UK case law, remember theres always that someone the first time. The near copy can create problems as well such as Apple suing Samsung. Of course things can get very complex. In terms of using a software which is legal to use then you have the right to use the software but not to recreate work of others.

hi

thank you guys for the info.