Chawlk

1. Drawar
2. Fenxy
3. Decaflon
4. Two Credits
5. Wriging
6. Loose Suits
7. Chixe
8. Dud3s
9. Wing Colors

 

Wow!!! That is gutsy right there.

Haven't you heard the rule that if you speak a different language all copying rules are off?

The worst part is the guy actually has almost 300 readers.

Pretty bold...

Did you notice, though? The theme is licensed through Creative Commons, so who knows if he even created the clone theme?

On Stammy's about page it says that his site uses "a custom theme I have created, which is not for distribution".

So it would seem this other person ripped the design.

Has anyone let Stammy aware of this other site?

Yeah, Paul knows about it. I'm not sure if he's tried to contact the guy though.

Well, the David guy switched his theme. He almost got away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!

Everyone knows you can't rip off a famous site and get away with it. My goal is to make my site so butt ugly that no one even WANTS to rip it off.

He didn't switch his theme... he just changed the main logo and un-blued Pauls theme.

It's the same theme but now it's in black and grey.

Still pathetic.

I changed my theme but I think that Stammy hasn't completely in right beacause I've analized his theme's code and css stylesheet and they ha taken for 3/4 from K2 (http://www.getk2.com) with other ideas take from other themes such as Pop Blue (http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/4387/pop-blue/) but he says that he created this theme from scratch which is a lie.

So I think that I'm not the only in wrong and I'm not pathetic because Stammy tells every day a lie to his readers saying that he designed he's theme from scratch.

Dude, no. Just no.

Paul says he uses "a custom theme I have created, which is not for distribution." He created his theme using K2 as a framework, which is what K2 was developed for. He's not lying to anyone. Other than on your own site have you seen anyone using the same theme as Paul? No, that's because it's custom get it?

Clearly, you knew what you were doing was wrong as evidenced by how quickly that theme came down after you were called on it. I'd say chalk this one up to a learning experience and move on with your blog.

I've exchanded some email with Paul and he said that he design his theme from scratch.

I've copied from one ideas. He's copied from more than one ideas but it still remains a copy. Isn't it?

Davide, yes the design is organic and from scratch - a seamless evolution from my previous designs. The only thing not from scratch is the logo, which I hired a designer for.

My site has been using K2 as a base for 2 years (r167 from back in the day), but at this point it is so hacked up that the backend files are completely different. Regardless, there is a difference between design and code. Ripping one is still ripping. You stated in your first email that you wanted to learn PHP/MySQL/CSS/HTML so now that you obviously have this knowledge, why not put it into designing your own theme from scratch?

Paul Stamatiou

Paul, I think that change the background of a menu button, moving 2 layers (header and footer out of page), resize an element (the header) and change position and the background of the comments aren't such a revolutionary modifications or a design from scratch.

I'm in wrong ok, but I think that you aren't completely in right.

Dude, there's a huge difference between using bits of source code from a freely distributed theme, which is meant to be modified, and blatantly ripping off someone else's design, which you clearly have.

If you want to make it right, there's only one thing to do: take down Paul's theme and use a shareware template or create your own.

Completely not cool that you're even trying to justify your actions.

@davidsalerno
How much code or how many changes have been made is largely irrelevant in this case. It's not about quantity.

If the changes make the design unique then similar designs made thereafter are ripoffs. In Stamatiou's case, his design is unique -- and he's established it (otherwise people wouldn't have considered you ripping it off).

Ooh its hot debate here paul.I've seen your site since your 5th post,you tried the k2 and hacking it with 4-5 attempts as fas i know.and only one theme was look diffrent i think it was defiant right?

anyway forget it david is blogging in italian & you in english it doesn't matter how your site looks,content matter.You know ure so good at it,Paul.

@David :forget the theme just hack it with some concepts from wpdesigner.com and it's ok.

David, Paul's design is unique and there is no way he only made a few minor edits to K2. I've watched Paul's site evolve and trust me, he's made some drastic changes along the way. While his base may still be K2, all of the CSS and such has been done by himself.

Heck, look at my site. My base is Sandbox and probably 90% of my template files are stock Sandbox. Where my customization comes in is the CSS. That's how designs are done on the web. CSS allows designers to alter the contents of pages without touching any of the core code (in this case, template files).

If you're really interesting in pursing HTML/CSS work, come up with something of your own. Sure, it's going to suck at first (I know my early designs did), but you get better with time. No person is going to hire you if you rip other people's work.

If you wanted to know something, when I started learning HTML I ripped a design from a site called Mobile Tracker. The owner eventually found out, and I ended up changing my design. From that experience I learned that designs are property, and you can't steal them.

I also understand replicating things is a great way to learn, but you can't publish a copy. No one is going to stop you if you experiment with how other's code certain designs. Just keep the experimentations to yourself.

WTF? This isn't an arguement. Paul uses K2 as a framework. Barely. This David guy stole Paul's design. This isn't a matter of code, and he said/she said.

Paul is free to use, transform and do whatever he wants to K2. David is not free to take Paul's design. Simple as that.

Also, ripping someone's design and code as a method to learn HTML/CSS is total bullshit. It's what they all say, seriously.

There is a simple saying that applies to this (as well as all other creative endeavors):

Plagiarism is copying from one. Inspiration is copying from many.

Ok, thanks to all.

Now I understand my error and I know that there aren't justifications for my action. Excuse me everubody in particular Paul.

Davide

Hey,david you are not wrong here cause everybody backing up paul.I think the pop blue design is first to hit the road before pauls design so you are not guilty also.

What i can say is stop creating such notes thats it,this is somewhat flame discussion...don't u think?

Did anyone understand that? Just checking.

Not really. Something about designs on road trips?

Someone run that last one by mahesh through crypto because it came through garbled. :P

It's a secret message to the KGB or the chineese mafia, hard to tell.......

^-^