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> Is creating an open-source alternative to a closed-source software considered theft?

No, never, as long as the open-source alternative doesn't actually copy any copyrightable material from the original (such as images or other data). And I don't see any signs of that here.

On the contrary, creating an open-source alternative to closed-source software is considered awesome.

Even if it copied material from the original, it would not be theft. It would be copyright infringement.

Good catch, yes; I hadn't intended to imply otherwise.

> Is creating an open-source alternative to a closed-source software considered theft?

Not under any definition of "theft" in use outside IP troll offices, as far as I know.

In terms of design, yes. He didn't just make something that performs the same function. He took Dustin's ideas and visual design so directly that it might even legally count as copyright infringement. Since dcurtis's work is not licensed for this use, making a copy might not be legal. And since he wanted to keep it closed for a while, lifting all his hard work into your own project is not cool.