Imitation or inspiration?

On the left, the January 2007 of the cover for the British magazine Wire; on the right, the July 2008 cover of Wallpaper* magazine (whose gimmick is that the logo and coverlines show up only when exposed to sunlight).

The Wire’s editor-in-chief and publisher, Tony Herrington, is not happy, according to CR Blog.

“We know that imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, but this is daylight robbery,” he alleges. “Someone call the style police.”

Wallpaper* art director Meirion Pritchard says Wire doesn't own shredding.

It happens a lot, people come to similar conclusions from different routes.”

Interestingly, comment on the comparison leaned heavily to praise for Wallpaper*'s better execution and observations that everybody borrows ideas and influences from everywhere.