Corgi denies stealing Papermark open source software
Original: Corgi, the buzzy Y Combinator-backed insurance tech startup, says it didn’t steal an open source product
Why This Matters
Raises questions about design copying and code appropriation in startup product development and open source compliance.
Y Combinator-backed insurance startup Corgi denied accusations that its new Dataroom product copied Papermark's open source data room software. Papermark co-founder Marc Seitz claimed the products used identical language and features, but Corgi says no code was taken, only design inspiration.
Corgi, a Y Combinator-backed insurance tech startup, faced allegations this week that it copied Papermark's open source data room software. Papermark co-founder Marc Seitz posted on X showing screenshots of Corgi's newly released Dataroom product using identical wording for features compared to Papermark's offering. Seitz called the product "copyright and license infringing" and "fraud." Corgi CEO Nico Laqua responded with his own X post, providing code comparisons showing the underlying code was different between the two products. Laqua acknowledged that Corgi's team used "vibe-coding," taking design cues from existing products in the space, but denied stealing actual code. He stated: "Looking back, we should've leaned more into our own language and visual choices instead of taking cues from existing products in the space, and that's on us." A Corgi spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the problematic features were limited to "visual elements on two peripheral settings pages" and have been "immediately updated." The company emphasized that "no code was used from Papermark." Laqua suggested competitive motivations behind the accusation, noting Corgi is offering a less expensive product. Deal room software is used by startups to securely share documents with VCs during fundraising and due diligence processes.