Templates and copyright

[Aussie Girl]

I have seen a template that I like the idea of, but I want to change it to something that appeals to me better. The layout of the template and the method of construction could be improved to make it easier to create. Elements would be similar,(as in a box is still a box) but the style and template design would be very different.

How does this affect the copyright and do I need to give credit to the person who inspired it even though the finished item will not be exactly the same?

Also what if I ended up selling the template/finished product?

[MSBetsyZ]

A template is yours if you do the creating of it. For example... the box you referred to, lol. The person who wrote the template you saw did not invent the box itself, just the template. You may not publish a book, let's say, and put that template in your book without crediting the author. You MAY, though, re-draw your own template for publication.

If you're talking about a project that you have never thought of, something "out of the box," as it were, then even if you re-draw the template, You'd be doing the right thing if you credit the idea at least to the originator, if not the template that you show. Does that make any sense? So many things are really in gray areas...it really becomes an ethical question that you have to answer for yourself.

I hope I didn't just cloud things up for you...sorry!

[Cat]

i agree with betsy's comments... what about "my template was inspired by something created by XXXX". it's a nice way to give some credit to the originator but still show that you had a creative take on it.

i create a lot of templates, and post them here on SCS for free use. if someone used it to create something different, i don't think i'd be bothered by it. however, if someone took it [say my tear-off calendar], then started printing them and selling them in a glued-top, tear-off booklet, i might get a little worked up about it. it would be my template, with a different 'creative take'... but still the same.

make sense?