Comments on: Are Premium Themes & Plugins Legal?

By: ProBlogger Killer Title Project Part Two | AffiliateDragon.com

ProBlogger Killer Title Project Part Two | AffiliateDragon.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:50:19 +0000

[...] Are Premium Themes & Plugins Legal? Lynette raises a good point as to whether WordPress themes and plug-ins which command a fee are allowed to have useage restrictions imposed on them by the author. [...]

By: Lynette

Lynette — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:52:16 +0000

Hi Rob, thanks for dropping by from ProBlogger. I’ll make it a point to check yours out. Sorry I had to nix your link and post intro because the title may send the wrong signals to search engines.

By: Results from the Killer Titles Group Writing Project } Group Writing Projects

Results from the Killer Titles Group Writing Project } Group Writing Projects — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:05:21 +0000

[...] Are Premium Themes & Plugins Legal? by Lynette Chandler [...]

By: Rob Moshe

Rob Moshe — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:20:52 +0000

It’s a whole new world of thought. I never even thought of these things. If it’s free I use it. If it costs I buy it. Thanks for the insights.

Cheers.

Saw you in Problogger killer titles. you can check out mine if you wish.

By: Lynette

Lynette — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:56:48 +0000

@Damien: Nope a theme does not change the core but from what I’ve been reading about GPL a module or plugin or add on (theme) does not have to change the core code. I wish I could find that thread again but I read somewhere where Matt actually said, if the theme uses WordPress functions extensively, it should inherit the GPL license. It is almost impossible for a theme not to use WP functions

@Loretta, @David: I agree. I do not oppose paying. I’ve purchased premium themes and love to use them. Furthermore, charging money is not a violation of GPL. Restricting usage is.

@Andrea: I’ve read that argument on the various forums and blogs as well. Here’s where my confusion comes in. Many premium themes don’t say that the graphics are the licensed separately from the theme itself.

The fact that they have developers license and single use license applies to the theme. That I think is not compatible with GPL. Furthermore, Quality premium themes where the design is highly configurable don’t use graphics that much. It is also expected people will replace them with other graphics of their own – unless it is icons.

For me this is a good discussion as it makes me realize as a business owners, making money if why we are in business. Getting paid for my work is of course nothing to be ashamed of. Similarly, paying others for quality work is a good thing. But between the business and money, we should also try to ensure our products are legal.

By: David at AffiliateDragon.com

David at AffiliateDragon.com — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:23:48 +0000

HI, I found you via ProBlogger. You raise a very interesting point. Like Loretta, I don’t have an issue paying for useful plug-ins or innovative WordPress themes, but when I have purchased them, I don’t want to be dictated to on how to use them.

By: » Killer Winners at Halo Secretarial Blog -

» Killer Winners at Halo Secretarial Blog - — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:05:33 +0000

[...] Are Premium Themes & Plugins Legal from Tech Based Marketing [...]

By: Andrea_R

Andrea_R — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:39:57 +0000

I think Damien hit on something important.

Also, many paid or restricted themes have licensing in place that the auther really wants to try and protect the *graphics*. The code of the theme can be GPL’ed and the images be another license, because they are not code and the theme still works without them.

By: Loretta

Loretta — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:36:04 +0000

I have oftened wondered about the restrictions part of it myself. I don’t mind paying for a use license and rights to use a theme or plugin, especially if it saves me loads of time and resources! But, like you said the restrictions that many place on them are definitely iffy.

By: DamienHull

DamienHull — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:34:35 +0000

As a Linux user I know that any changes to the Linux kernel must be shared with the world. However, if one creates a module for the Linux kernel they can keep the code for them selves.

Is a WordPress theme the same as a Linux kernel module? The theme isn’t changing any of the core WordPress code.

NOT: I’m not a programmer or an expert on the GPL.