[sgstauder]

As the designer of 4 OOTP League websites -- the BTTF, 4CBA, SCBL and CDL -- I've seen my work ripped off a couple of different times. And I've had other owners/commishes etc. ask to borrow forms, scripts, etc. that I've created.

And you know what -- big deal.

I've done the same thing to others -- borrowed the UKBL Rules with modifications (and permission); borrowed Bigphesta's NAHHBL team history page, again with modifications, but without permission although I do credit him on the page.

It's part and parcel of the nature of the world wide web, the freedom and sharing of information. It's also how you learn to build a better web page, by borrowing from others.

Just go out there and see how many e-commerce sites are knock-offs of Amazon.com. I should know. The e-commerce site I run and design is a knock-off of their design. It's called learning from people who are spending millions of dollars on customer research to design an efficient business model on the web. When you are a small organization you don't have the luxury of huge budgets and focus groups, but it doens't mean you shouldn't take advantage of them second hand.

And the same thing can be said for designing OOTP sites. You look at the others, the good ones, learn from them and copy them. Look at all the knock-off's of Church's iMLB site, for example.

Sure I would love to be asked first and I firmly believe credit should be given when borrowing from others. It is the polite thing to do and what your mother would expect of you.

But it's not worth getting worked up about.

After all, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.