Answered By: Franny Gaede
Last Updated: Jun 22, 2022     Views: 45

In the United States a design is considered an idea and is not directly copyright-able. U.S. Copyright Law only protects things that are fixed into a permanent medium.

It is alright to review a website, note the design, use of images, etc. and then create your own original code and design elements that mimic the overall site design.

You cannot take all of a website's coding, images, etc. and reuse it as your own.

This can only be done legally if you ask the website for permission to use the code. 

To learn more about copyright basics, see the Copyright LibguideQuestions? Contact Josh Petrusa, Irwin Library, (jpetrusa@butler.edu or x9236) or  Scholarly Communication Librarian Jennifer Coronado, 940-9549, jraye@butler.edu