Is a website's layout protected by copyright?

In the US, the Copyright Office says the general layout or format of a web page is not copyrightable, though the specific text, images and creative arrangement of content can be. Laws differ by country; this isn't legal advice.

Can I use the same font as a site?

US copyright law doesn't protect typeface designs, but font files are software sold under licences, so install free fonts from their official source and buy a licence for paid ones.

Can I use a site's icons?

Only if they come from an open-source set whose licence allows it (install it from the source) or you have permission. Custom icons belong to the site.

What does Livery copy from a site?

A kit holds measurements (colours, type, spacing, components, motion) with every font, icon set and asset labelled by licence. Its reference folder keeps exact copies of the page's files so an agent can reproduce it faithfully; those still belong to the site's owner, and the kit says to use them only where you have the right to.

Recreate a Website's Look Without Copying It

By @andymarrows · Updated 2026-10-25 · 5 min read

The short answer

Recreate the style, not the assets. Measurable style (colour roles, a type scale, spacing, radii, motion timing) can guide your own design. The site's logo, photos, illustrations, custom icons, fonts you haven't licensed and its written copy belong to its owner, so don't reuse them; use your own or free alternatives. This isn't legal advice: when in doubt, ask the owner.

Style versus assets

When people say they like a site's design, they usually mean its decisions: a restrained palette with one accent, generous spacing, type that tightens at large sizes, hairline borders instead of shadows. Those are style. The files that make up the site are assets:

Logos and brand marks
Photographs and illustrations
Custom icon sets and drawings
Commercial fonts (you need your own licence)
The site's written copy

Use style as direction for your own work; don't reuse assets.

What you can take as direction, and what belongs to the site
Part of the design	Style or asset	What to do
Colour roles and palette	Style	Use as direction; pick your own accent if it's a brand colour
Type scale, spacing, radii	Style	Use as direction
Motion timing and easing	Style	Use as direction
Fonts	Asset (licensed software)	Install free ones from the source; licence paid ones or pick an alternative
Icon sets	Asset	Use open-source sets from the source; never custom icons
Logos, photos, illustrations	Asset	Don't reuse; use your own
Written copy	Asset	Write your own

Fonts and icons: check the licence

Many sites use free fonts (Inter, Geist and Google Fonts) and open-source icon sets (Lucide, Phosphor) you can install yourself. Others use paid typefaces or icon sets. Install free ones from their official source, never from the site, and only use paid ones if you hold a licence. Otherwise pick a free alternative with a similar feel.

How Livery handles it

Livery measures style and labels every item in a kit: free to reuse, needs your licence (always with a free alternative), or style only, which your agent recreates in your own way. A kit's reference folder keeps exact copies of the page's files (markup, stylesheets, pictures, fonts) so an agent can reproduce the page faithfully, and the kit tells it to use them only where you have the right to: your own site, a licensed template or a client's files. Otherwise it keeps the look and replaces the files. Site owners can opt in to share more through a livery.json file, or opt out and have kits withdrawn.

Questions

Is a website's layout protected by copyright?: In the US, the Copyright Office says the general layout or format of a web page is not copyrightable, though the specific text, images and creative arrangement of content can be. Laws differ by country; this isn't legal advice.
Can I use the same font as a site?: US copyright law doesn't protect typeface designs, but font files are software sold under licences, so install free fonts from their official source and buy a licence for paid ones.
Can I use a site's icons?: Only if they come from an open-source set whose licence allows it (install it from the source) or you have permission. Custom icons belong to the site.
What does Livery copy from a site?: A kit holds measurements (colours, type, spacing, components, motion) with every font, icon set and asset labelled by licence. Its reference folder keeps exact copies of the page's files so an agent can reproduce it faithfully; those still belong to the site's owner, and the kit says to use them only where you have the right to.

Sources

Works Not Protected by Copyright (Circular 33), U.S. Copyright Office

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