Paying to download GPL themes

[andrea_r]

If it's a minor change, and I think it improves the theme, then I'd want to send it back to the person who released the theme - free OR paid. A line of credit is nice, even if it's just in a post somewhere "thanks to so-and-so for adding X to the them".

Credit I think is pretty important.

[nathanrice]

@Justin:
Bingo, my friend. I think you just nailed it.

@Andrea
That is a fantastic point. If ANYONE who used one of my themes sent me actionable code suggestions, you can bet it'd go into the theme and they would get credit. There's no reason to fork a work if its still being actively developed.

[andrea_r]

" We don't want to just "get by". We want to thrive."

you know, I think this is an important point - so many in the *general* community think that the people charging money, or with popular plugins out there (for FREE) are making a killing and rolling in dough.

I know how hard we're working, and in talking to others, they're working just as hard, and often for less pay (if any).

So to a large extent, it's a perception of the community. Someone who puts up a GPL paid theme for free has usually done so a) because they can and b) they really think the authors have made enough money so it doesn't hurt them.

Still dumb tho. :D

[dancole]

so many in the *general* community think that the people charging money, or with popular plugins out there (for FREE) are making a killing and rolling in dough

What!?... Doesn't enthusiasm equal money earned? If that's not the case, that would explain why I could not find Matt M. in the Forbes' 100 richest people in the World.

[Brad]

Earlier in this thread, Justin referred to a blog post by Alex King. Drew pointed out that Alex has published a follow up post "An Apology and a Question" in case you missed it. I refer to it again because the post contains recent comments very pertinent to the conversation here on WP Tavern.

http://alexking.org/blog/2009/06/17/...and-a-question

[Ryan]

Anyone who copies a theme verbatim (HTML, CSS, design, images, PHP etc.) without any changes whatsoever is a dork who isn't capable of creating something interesting themself. Are they unethical? ... I guess that's open for debate. Either way it doesn't really bother me too much. If someone felt like posting my GPL code for download somewhere else I wouldn't stop them. If they emailed me and said would I mind I'd probably tell them I think it's a silly idea, but I'm not going to stop them from doing it.

[Brian Gardner]

I have never said anything negatively about folks using my code and developing different or new themes. All I have ever said is that it is unfortunate and sad that some people have blatant disrespect for those who have spent thousands of hours developing themes by reselling them without any changes. I know that's within their right, but it doesn't make it ethically right. Those who are purposely loop holing the GPL to take money out of my pocket are certainly not people who are aligned with the true spirit of the GPL.

I have read through this thread and countless other discussions on the GPL involving comments from Matt, Brian Gardner, Cory Miller, Nathan Rice, Adii, Ian Stewart, Justin Tadlock, Michael Torbert, Jeffr0 and many others.

I have come to the following conclusions about ETHICS regarding the GPL:

1. While possibly legal within the GPL, most premium theme and plugin developers believe that simply copying and releasing a theme or plugin identical or nearly identical to their original work for free or for profit WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNETHICAL.

2. Re-using sections of code or CSS from premium GPL themes or plugins in order to produce a new theme or plugin WOULD BE CONSIDERED ETHICAL by these developers provided the finished work is not merely a exact replica of the original authors work.

I am particularly interested if premium theme or plugin developers agree with the second statement. I think it would greatly clear up their stance on the whole GPL issue.

[Ryan]

The main thing I've taken from this thread is that the premium theme authors who have moved to a GPL model are very professional in their approach to it. I don't see any whining, moaning or complaining about anything, just the occasionally polite explanation behind their reasoning for changing business model. It's nice to see. The last thing we need is a bunch of people changing to a GPL business model because they feel forced into it and then getting all huffy about what problems it has caused for them.

[Brad]

Hey Brian,

I appreciate your comments and I think you have been very consistent in your outlook on ethics regarding the GPL. You certainly have paved the road for others in opting to release premium GPL themes. Thanks for weighing in. Hope to hear from others.

[Ryan]

I wonder if any other popular WP themers would have made the move to a GPL model if Brian hadn't paved the way?