Does WordPress being under GPL actually necessitate that the tools created for it (plugins, themes) must also be under GPL? Is so, then why?

I'm confused about this idea that because WordPress is under GPL, the plugins and themes all have to be under GPL as well. My understanding of GPL includes that you can't distribute something that is partially GPL and partially proprietary; but if you distribute a proprietary plugin, shouldn't it be fine for a user to use that plugin within their GPL copy of WordPress? The problem should only arise if the user tries to distribute their WordPress installation along with …
Category: Web

What does exactly GPL license mean for my WordPress theme?

To put it like this: I have created a WordPress theme for myself which consists of the following: PHP code - GPL v2 licensed like WordPress CSS files - All rights reserved JS files - All rights reserved image files required for the theme - All rights reserved As far as I understand I can copyright all non PHP files in the theme, so my question is: Does this licensing scheme (for file groups) violates the WordPress license? Do I …
Category: Web

Is the content of a Wordpress blog GPL?

I would like to ask if the content of a wordpress blog--not the theme, but the actual entries--are GPL? I would like to be doubly sure before I create a wordpress account. Please note: I have no beef with GPL, and respect that some people like it. I simply prefer things that aren't put under this license. Cheers! Fiton
Category: Web

Modifying WordPress plugins

I have what is likely a very simple question about making changes to a WordPress plugin. I apologize for the simplicity of my question, as I am very new to working with code that may be open-source and new to plugin development. I found a plugin that provided a good solution for a project I was working on. However, in order to make it work better for my needs, I modified the code. The plugin has a "GPLv2 or later" …
Category: Web

Can we use a library under MIT license in a WooCommerce plugin?

I am in the process of developing a WooCommerce Plugin, and I plan to make two Free and premium versions. I want to join The Bootsrap library which is under the MIT lisence. In the WordPress officle directory, I know that MIT license is fully GPL compatible. But, my question, can we sell a WooCommerce Plugin that uses 3th part under MIT lisence?
Category: Web

How come W3TC is allowed to host premium code in the WordPress repo?

I have noticed W3TC is allowed to host premium code in the WordPress Repo. You may download their plugin freely from the WordPress repo, but certain features are paid, and you need a license key before you can leverage these features. In their settings page, they have a "license" field, and when entered, premium features are unlocked. I was under the impression that this is not allowed according to WordPress guidelines, and you need to seperate paid/premium code from the …
Category: Web

best way to handle subscriptions with a licence?

I have a product with 3 packs: - 14-days trial (user should not have to enter paypal details) - monthly - yearly We used WooCommerce with "WooCommerce Subscriptions" and "WooCommerce Software License". And we want to use PayPal. There was also a problem with recurring payments and PayPal Plus so let's assume we use PayPal Standard which is supported by WooComemrce and WooCommerce Subscriptions. The problem is the "14-days trial" logic: If I create a subscription with a 14-day free …
Category: Web

Can I put in Github the code of a abandoned plugin I want to fork?

My friends. I want to know if I can create a repository of abandoned plugin of wp.org that the author is not mantaining make 2 years. The plugin is this: https://br.wordpress.org/plugins/send-emails-for-woocommerce/ I just want to know if I will have problem with the law if I put it in the Github because is a third party plugin, even if I mantain the author in the readme.txt. Thanks! Edit: https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-i-takeover-this-plugin-it-seems-to-be-abandoned-after-2-years-w-o-update/
Category: Web

GPL and plugins

The Plugin developer center says "Your plugin must be GPLv2 Compatible.". But I found that the Topsy plugin is under GPLv3. http://www.gnu.org/licenses/rms-why-gplv3.html states that GPLv2 and GPLv3 are incompatible. So should this be allowed? I want to use some code from the Topsy plugin. Then, should I release my plugin under GPLv2 or GPLv3 ??
Category: Web

From a legal perspective, is it okay to customize a plugin's code?

I'm working on a project and an existing plugin (from the WordPress repository) has most of the features I need, but there are changes that I need to make to the plugin in order for it to meet my requirements. It's my understanding that if a plugin is released under the GNU Public License, that it can be freely modified. But what if the plugin has no mention of a license? I was initially under the impression that everything released …
Category: Web

How can you get woocomemrce to give you multiple licensing options for a downloadable product?

I have music I want to sell online and make downloadable. But, this music needs to be available under difference licensing options to the buyer, and the buyer needs to be able to browse many different songs of a single category and pick out different songs to add to their cart without leaving the page. How can I do this with product options in woocommerce? Maybe custom attributes has something to do with it, but it's not very intuitive.
Category: Web

Best way to maintain and update 3rd-party WP plugin when developer is unresponsive?

I recently purchased a 3rd party WP plugin (and started a site) with a view to starting a business. The plugin was first released only a few months ago.This particular plugin provides essential functionality, without which I cannot operate the site as needed. The plugin has a few minor bugs, nothing serious. Unfortunately, the plugin developer is unresponsive. Since I am planning to invest a significant amount in this new venture, obviously I need to be sure that the plugin …
Category: Web

Can I modify woocommerce themes that are under the GNU General Public License, version 2

Under the license it says: "Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license document, but changing it is not allowed." Does that mean I can't modify the source code(template files, css, html etc), even if I'm using it as a template for my store and not reselling it or anything like that?
Category: Web

Can i legally remove a credit from a free plugin on wordpress.org?

I am using this accessibility plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/accessible-poetry/ I didn't like to logo in the bottom of it that adds a link to the plugin site so I removed it via css. But I couldn't find anywhere any clarification on this, how the plugin is licensed, and can I just remove the logo without worrying of getting in trouble if I do it in my client's site?
Category: Web

licenses, subscriptions, etc and the impact on performance

I have been using wordpress for years, too long. And I have mostly shied away from paid solutions mostly because of the ongoing cost. I certainly don't mind it in relation to support agreements, where you only lose support, yet you still get updates for life (I personally believe that should be the model used generally, mostly to encourage plugins to be continually updated). But I've come to a project where I'm finding I have installed not just a large …
Category: Web

Licensing options for WordPress Plugins

Question Edited because it's off-topic (but the confusion about two statements in the original question is still valid, IMO) ====== Edited Question =========== I'm developing a plugin for WordPress named my-custom-plugin and here's the my-custom-plugin.php <?php /* * Plugin Name: My Custom Plugin * Plugin URI: * Description: * Author: * Author URI: * Version: * Requires at least: * Tested up to: * Copyright: * License: */ What are the licensing options that are available for the License: option …
Category: Web

Custom license for WordPress plugin

I am developer and I have a plugin. My plugin is free for everyone ( everyone can download it from WordPress plugins repository). But I need to add only one restrictions to my plugin license: I don't want that any user or developer will put his credits on my plugin. Wich license I have to use for this? GPL? GPL 2? There is so many license types.... How can I implement this "feature"? Thanks
Category: Web

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