![]() In 2009 Matt sought a legal opinion on the GPL/theme issue from the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC). But even on what some would say is an expansive view of the GPL’s requirements, that doesn’t seem to be the case. ![]() Listening to the Pearson/Mullenweg debate might make you think there is only one option: that a WordPress theme, when distributed, needs to be licensed in its entirety under the GPL or will be non-compliant with the GPL conditions applying to WordPress itself. I’ve mentioned three possible licensing models above. On an expansive view of the GPL, which of the three models are considered to be GPL-compliant? ![]() Matt’s earlier (and consistently held) positions can also be heard in a video on this topic on : Matt Mullenweg: WordPress and the GPL. Listening to it reveals deeply held views as to which position was correct. The video of that debate is still available today (the day I write this at least) on TheNextWeb at the link above. Chris Pearson and Matt debated the issue on Mixergy, with Mixergy’s owner Andrew Warner doing his best to play the role of mediator. Matt even tweeted that he would buy people a GPL’d premium theme instead of their buying Thesis. The title of a post on TheNextWeb sums up just how heated the debate became: “ WordPress and Thesis Go to Battle: Mullenweg May Sue”. The developer of Thesis disagreed strongly that the GPL required Thesis to be GPL-licensed while Matt Mullenweg and others argued strongly (yet, for the most part, calmly) that the GPL required just that. Perhaps the most publicised and memorable instance of this was DIY Themes’ initial proprietary licensing of its Thesis theme. This ultimately resulted in an eruption of controversy in certain parts of the WordPress community as to the application of the GPL to WordPress themes. Some applied their own proprietary licences. Not all commercial theme providers applied the GPL to their themes. Controversy and “GPL non-compliant” models At the date of writing this post, the commercial section in the themes directory listed 69 commercial theme providers (a number which does not seem to include all of them) who provide themes that are fully-licensed under the GPL. Many others followed suit, including well-known commercial theme providers like WooThemes, GraphPaperPress and Elegant Themes. Brian Gardner’s Revolution themes site, which would later evolve into StudioPress
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |