Is copying the idea of a website legal?

Hi,

I was just wondering if copying (or rather, adapting) the concept or idea of a website is legal? For example, there's a fairly well-established website whose main aim I wish to recreate in a similar website. Providing I don't use any of their content or other copyrighted items, is making a website with the same aim as their's illegal? This website has seemingly not been copied before; I spent hours searching to make sure of that.

The functionality of my website would be quite similar to the already-established one except that, having lived in France for a few years, I'm planning to set my one up for the use of the French public (whereas the other is aimed solely at the English).

I would guess that the answer is that it is, in fact, legal to do so, but it's better to be safe than sorry, I suppose. I make the assumption that it is legal on the basis of the sheer amount of video websites that sprung up following the success of YouTube. All of these had a similar aim, they were just adapted and modified.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you may be able to give me,

Liam.

This was actually sort of asked here.

You can look at sites and incorporate certain aspects of them, but no, you can't legally copy another site. For example, with Youtube, yes, they are known for their videos and such, so you could create another site that looks entirely different, and different content, but use videos as well...

Inspiration is really all you should get from another site... if you see one that you like, then use it for inspiration, but don't copy the site.

Generally speaking it would be generally ok. One area to take caution with is patents. Organizing and displaying information in a specific manner can and has been patented and can and has been the source of litigation. Google, among other companies, has been sued several times over patent disputes. Merely going through the process of litigation can be an expensive endeavor regardless of which side prevails.