Is it a clone when the code is open-source and the maintainers publicly invite others to use it?

> You are free to use this code to start your own sister site because the code is available under a permissive license

From here: https://github.com/lobsters/lobsters#:~:text=You%20are%20fre...

I called it a clone because it's the same software with the same look and feel, the same features, and the same invite rules. It's an obvious clone of lobste.rs the website, only even more exclusively tailored to a niche audience.

They actually even have the same text on their stat page about their pledge drive, which clearly they did not do, but was in fact on lobste.rs.

https://lobste.rs/stats https://gamedev.city/stats

I don't even mind an exclusive community but the idea of begging for an invite is against my very nature.

idk who you are but this comment made me wanna buy you a beer lol