2 identical websites ?

[followme]

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this forum, I hope I'm not going to make a fool out of myself.

I had to make a design for a magasine (FHM magasine) for a contest. What I did is here : www.dreamland.ro/fhm/

Now the problem: some "pros" accused me of "fraud" because this website looks like www.mxhost.ro 99%.
mxhost.ro was made by me, and they say that these two websites are identical. I really can't understand how that can be possible. Maybe it's the same style, but... for me these wsites are completly different.

If anyone can clear my head a little bit, I would be greatfull.

Thank you.

[ADAM Web Design]

I do see some similarities, but not enough to make the 99% claim:

• The font used in the navigation for both sites is the same (although one is bold and one isn't). Try Futura on the FHM site. That'll probably solve that issue and make it a closer match to the FHM logo font.
  
• Your font face and size are the same (Verdana, 1), but not that uncommon.

My personal advice to you would be not to give a damn what "pros" think, unless the "pros" are the ones judging the contest and paying you for the work. If you did both of these sites (and based on the style, I believe you did), then you've got nothing to worry about.

If anyone who can influence the outcome of the contest (e.g. a judge) makes the same comment, I'd cite the US court case involving the singer John Fogerty (formerly of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, for those who might recognize the name). Back in the 80s, Mr. Fogerty was taken to court by the CCR record label in a plagiarism suit. The record label claimed that the song "The Old Man Down the Road" (from his solo "Centerfield" album) was a ripoff of CCR's "Run Through the Jungle".

Here's the kicker...Fogerty wrote both songs. So, in effect, he was being accused of plagiarizing himself. He actually had to play both songs in the courtroom before the lawsuit was dismissed.

You're basically in the same boat. Someone's accusing you of "plagiarizing yourself". You really can't do that.

(Side note: "The Old Man Down the Road" sounds a lot more like "Green River" and is written in the same key, so the plaintiff didn't even pick the right song.)

[followme]

thanks for your reply !

I feel much much better now, although the guys from FHM are totaly lame. The said they will post the winner on the first of april, and ... nothing since then.

Yeah, i did both pages, i douldn't take credit for something that it's not mine or done by me.

Maybe you saw some graphic elements that are similar to other webpages, that's because I liked 'em and "improved" them. Not that I cound't come with a brandt new ideea, but, i liked it and done it. :)

Thanks again for your reply.

PS: I have a question about firefox... where should I post it ?

[ADAM Web Design]

"Site Design" would likely be your best bet.