Is it illegal for a company to steal a website layout when the website was hosted on Webflow and how did the new company get access to my files without my permission?

If a company copied your website layout without permission, there may be legal and security implications, especially if they gained access to Webflow-hosted content unauthorized.

1. Website Design Theft and Copyright Law

• Visual layout and design—if original—may be protected under copyright law, especially if it involves custom graphics, typography, and distinctive visual arrangements.
• Simply copying HTML/CSS or layout structure can sometimes fall into a gray area legally unless the visual expression is unique and identifiable.
• Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the underlying idea itself; for example, a basic services layout isn't protected, but a custom illustration-rich design may be.

2. Access to Webflow Files Without Your Permission

Webflow does not publicly expose your editable project files. If another company accessed your layout with high fidelity, consider these possible vectors:

• Publicly Cloned Site: Ensure your site wasn't made cloneable by you under Project Settings > General > Duplicate Settings.
• Manual Copying: They could have manually copied the layout using browser inspection tools or downloaded your static site output.
• Team Permissions: If they had access as a team member in your Webflow Workspace, they could’ve duplicated the project.
• Shared Preview or Editor Links: If you’ve sent Editor links, Preview links, or exported your code via Projects > Export Code, someone may have kept and reused them.

3. What to Do if You Suspect Unauthorized Use

• Gather Evidence: Take screenshots of both sites, capture page URLs, and store any related communication.
• Check Access Logs: If you used any third-party integrations (e.g., Google Analytics or Plausible), review traffic anomalies during the time they could’ve accessed your content.
• Contact the Offending Company: Issue a formal Cease & Desist or notify them of copyright infringement.
• File a DMCA Takedown: Use Webflow’s or a host’s DMCA process to request the removal of infringing content.
• Consult a Copyright Attorney: Especially if the design is custom and you suffer business harm.

4. How to Prevent This in the Future

• Disable Public Cloning: Go to Project Settings > General and uncheck “Allow others to clone this project.”
• Limit Access: Remove unnecessary team members and review permissions.
• Use Legal Notices: Add a copyright footer and terms of use on your site.
• Turn Off Code Export (where applicable): Don’t share exported code unless contractually agreed.

Summary

Website layouts may be copyright-protected, and if another company accessed your Webflow design without permission, they likely copied the site manually, obtained shared links, or had prior access as team members. You have both legal and platform-level avenues to assert control and prevent future misuse.