You are confusing copyright[1] (covers written works, such as source code) with design patents[2] (covers look and feel). If Elementary is infringing on Apple's patents, that would be wrong.
A cursory search of OSX design patents[3] turns up the Dock patent[4]. Whether Elementary infringes the patent is a legal matter (IANAL).
A cursory search of OSX design patents[3] turns up the Dock patent[4]. Whether Elementary infringes the patent is a legal matter (IANAL).
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_patent
[3] https://www.google.com/search?q=design+patent+osx&ie=utf-8&o...
[4] http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=H...: