Make a WP theme based on an existing non-WP site?

I have a client who really likes the look of a certain website and there are no similar themes. The site is not using WP afaik.

I’m probably going to create a WP theme for the client to mimic the site they like.

I won’t be using anything proprietary to the company who owns the existing website (fonts, stock images, etc.).

Can I sell this theme on TF when it’s complete?

if its a 1-1 clone no

Can you guide me towards the specific requirements?

I mean, what counts as “1-1”?

If they are cosmetically identical? But what if MY template is responsive whereas the original is not?

CFXd said
Can you guide me towards the specific requirements?

I mean, what counts as “1-1”?

If they are cosmetically identical? But what if MY template is responsive whereas the original is not?

Then no. To be honest its not that hard, just change some elements so it doesn’t look exactly the same and you should be good to go . Everybody gets inspiration from somewhere so its not a big deal.

Skywarrior said

CFXd said
Can you guide me towards the specific requirements?

I mean, what counts as “1-1”?

If they are cosmetically identical? But what if MY template is responsive whereas the original is not?

Then no. To be honest its not that hard, just change some elements so it doesn’t look exactly the same and you should be good to go . Everybody gets inspiration from somewhere so its not a big deal.

YAY! Let’s just steal from each other!

Dream-Theme said
YAY! Let’s just steal from each other!

Thanks for your meaningful contribution!

No, that is not allowed and, in case of any DMCA, it will be taken down in second two. Why steal someone else’s work just because you like it? Really? What’s next? See a facebook clone on themeforest in WordPress? Stealers shouldn’t be encouraged.

CFXd said

Dream-Theme said
YAY! Let’s just steal from each other!

Thanks for your meaningful contribution!

just because you dont take images fonts etc doesnt mean youre not breaking copyright law.

For example if I take the Nike logo, and flip it. Its still their logo, or if I take cokes logo and make it green, its still their logo.

Now both those examples are also trademarked which makes it easier for them to take legal action.

With copyright law in the US theres a threshold on how different something needs to be. If I recall correctly its somewhere near 50-75% changed from the original.

Skywarrior said

CFXd said
Can you guide me towards the specific requirements?

I mean, what counts as “1-1”?

If they are cosmetically identical? But what if MY template is responsive whereas the original is not?

Then no. To be honest its not that hard, just change some elements so it doesn’t look exactly the same and you should be good to go . Everybody gets inspiration from somewhere so its not a big deal.

This is wrong on both licence level and ethic level. Claiming your work is something that is not. You can get inspiration and make your own work, and again, you can get “too much inspired” and then it’s back to stealing. And “just change some elements” isn’t inspiration, it’s pure stealing.