[almightygod]

why does it matter, the typical consumer wont care. The square design has been successful for them, why not piggyback on that success

[prawn]

Because, without permission, it's not the right thing to do, and the right thing to do need not be expensive?

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here - looking at code/designs and tweaking them to learn is one thing, but is basing a funded company on something so blatant now considered OK? I'd like to know if this is the thought pattern for people who are designers or programmers.

Is Square within the YC stable, is that it?

Should I be doing this with my side projects, to piggyback on that success?

(Keep in mind that I'm assuming in this case that they don't have permission.)

[almightygod]

but THEY have permission...clearly lifting another companies design w/out permission is illegal and should be frowned upon

[prawn]

The whole branch of this comment thread was based on:

"Why would they need permission?"

That's what I've been replying to.