Limits to using templates WYSIWYG and others

[Hobbyist]

Is there a limit to using templates as your own work? You can be sued if you use an online image that has a copyright. Costing thousands of dollars.

If I wanted to design a website and sell it, can I take a free template online and change the pictures and text but use the rest of the layout? I was looking at peoples websites for ideas. The professional look of a website is essential for attracting viewers. So are there copyright rules like when you use Google images and/or plagiarism rules when you use a free template from either WYSIWYG or others?

[Pablo]

I don't think layouts can be copyrighted, but scripts and images may be subject to copyrights.

See also:
http://wysiwygwebbuilder.com/forum/view ... =10&t=1885

[Hobbyist]

So the images and text could be copyrighted. The html css java languages could also be copyrighted. Other than that you are free to take the page layout replace the pictures and the text. You can even change the names of the navigation tools of the template and duplicate the navigation. Though you have to be careful that the scripts for the navigation tools are not copyrighted. Very interesting.

Thanks again. Website design is so vast.

[Pablo]

The scripts which are generated by WWB are copyrighted, so you may not remove the copyrights or claim that you write them.

[Hobbyist]

The scripts which are generated by WWB are copyrighted, so you may not remove the copyrights or claim that you write them

but you can use them without needing prior authorization. Is that true of other scripts in free templates for 1? and 2 of viewing and using the scripts of youtube pages or other large domains?

[BaconFries]

Thanks again. Website design is so vast.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg! There is also the following. When using a 'Template' downloaded from any of the sites offering them 'Freely' or 'Paid' another consideration you may need to take is usage. Under usage terms you may only be permitted to use for 'Personal' use only, meaning you alone and cannot be redistributed or sold (commercial use) as your own.

You may also have to leave in place a url which links back to the original site of download if it was 'Free'. Even many 'Paid' templates are sold for 'Personal use only/non-commercial use' so you are not allowed to then charge for 'Client' use due to it being sold for commercial use.

It may be that the template will come with a Creative Commons (CC) license, this is a public licence where you are 'Free' to distribute use a copyrighted template as it has been allowed by the original author.

Regarding images, there is what is known as 'Royalty free' this simply means you will pay a one-time fee say for the use of a image/photograph that is copyrighted with terms of use, no other fees will occur, but the image/photograph remains the property of the original owner due to copyright ownership.

As you said website design is vast but doesn't need to be as long as you are aware of the ins and outs you will be ok. I would also look for any 'Terms of Use' with all templates you may download just for clarity so not to cause you grief at a later date.