Y Combinator-backed startup Corgi found itself in hot water when its newest product, Dataroom, was accused of copying another open-source software. Despite vehement denials and code comparisons, the controversy rages on.

The co-founder, Nico Laqua, admitted to using similar language for certain features but maintained that no actual code was stolen. Instead, he blamed a reliance on ‘vibe coding’—a design approach that can mimic another product’s look and feel without copying its code.

Laqua also suggested that Papermark’s accusations stemmed from competitive tension; Corgi offers more affordable alternatives. This sparks broader questions about the limits of legal protection in an era where visual similarity can be as damning as code theft.

The incident adds to a string of controversies surrounding Corgi, including lawsuits against former employees and viral comments on productivity culture. As the debate rumbles on, it raises new questions for tech companies—how much does style matter if substance is different?