[DirectPixel]

Originally Posted by Trigunflame

Im not brushed up on copyright laws, but Im pretty sure its not illegal to create something that "looks" like "something" as long as its not a trademark, logo etc..

The bulk of vbulletin styles are nothing more than color codes in the first place; and im pretty sure you cant copyright that

What is this style if you want to get specific.. blue with transparent clouds and some line work; this is not the first of its nature and its not unique.. ive seen many like it and actually have got an opinion from many graphics artist saying the design of this theme was copied from another site..

Now im not liberty to say whether it is or not, I dont care.. im not a graphics person but Im pretty sure it would not be against the law for this guy to create a theme based off his original work with inspiration from another work.

Regardless if you or vbulletin.org give him permission or not.

His style can be either classified as a copy or as a derivative work. In either case, it is illegal for him to use this without obtaining consent first. The owner of the copyright has exclusive rights to: reproduce, distribute, perform publicly (a web page on a server, in this case), prepare derivatives. (Section 106)

I can assure you that this style is 100% original. If you could PM me the URL of the site which you believe this style to be copied from, I will be more than happy to clarify any details with you.

US district and federal courts have ruled time and time again in cases concerning artistic expression and intellectual property that it is not the individual elements of a piece that is copyrightable, but the entirety of the work and the coming together of the pieces.

When you to take your logic of "What is this style if you want to get specific.. blue with transparent clouds and some line work" to its logical conclusion, you will realize that with a break-down definition like that, not a single digital work would be able to be copyrighted. This is certainly not the case.