Came across this stock Website template design today on one of those template monster affiliate sites. I’d say it’s a bit close for comfort, myself.

http://www.templatehelp.com/preset/pr_preview.php?i=18757&pr_code=7rAwG2gt85h61U3Q8cZGRRSOHhzK0T

I’m a big fan of Jesse, and I know this isn’t a first for EE’s latest design… but it’s a tough call as to whether this one has crossed the line or not. Clearly it’s “different” (alternate shade of blue/violet, alternate navigation design, Adobe Flash implementation, etc)... but clearly it’s quite similar (EllisLab tab, certain icons, search location, etc). I’m assuming it’s no more than a few months old. In either case, someone’s making some money off it (3 downloads so far).

So… Rip Off? Inspired? Or too close for comfort? Thoughts?

The guy in the picture needs a shave

Inspired? Perhaps.

Rip-Off? You’ve already mentioned it is mostly Flash-based, the navigation is different, the top half not looking like a tabbed block as on Expressionengine.com. So, I don’t think that its a rip off. “Rip off” at least for me suggests taking what is available and only slightly modify it, not rebuild it in a completely different technology and with so many variations.

Of course, only Jesse can tell if he feels his rights are targeted.

e-man, the five o’clock shadow made a big comeback, didn’t you get the memo?

Yeah, I was thinking that too… “rip off” is more of a blatant act of theft. But that tab is certainly an exact match. Maybe “tear-off” would be a more interesting alternate term.

Nevertheless, it’s still quite interesting. I had to double-take three times, haha.