My thoughts on GPL bandwagon and “me too” trend among wordpress theme developers

In early days of wordpress themes, almost every themes used be released under GPL license – as FREE and without resale, redistribution limits. Then came the paid theme era where theme developers (including me) released it under different license that restricted usage of those theme with specific terms.

Last year, Brian Gardner took the first step and all the revolution themes went free, with GPL license. Wordpress community praised the decision. Then on, with the new version the license model slightly changed to paid only GPL model that allowed unlimited usage of the purchased product. The model was welcomed by the customers and then on, other leading theme developers have started climbing the GPL train one by one.

My thoughts

It bothered me because even when they were claimed as 100% GPL licensed products, the theme authors restricted resale, redistribution of the products. As some of them said, even if its legal, ethically it would be wrong. But then what I am thinking is, it is also ethically wrong to claim the product as GPL, claiming that we are enjoying the spirit of giving away and then, we restrict them when they want to take those liberties that the GPL licensing model offers.

Alex King, a well known wordpress contributor raised the question and heated arguments started all over – on twitter, blog posts and support forums.

Long story short, here’s some of the points that I think should be considered.

• Deviating buyers – with GPL terminology should be stopped. If a seller does not agree 100% with the license model, they should not claim their product to be in line with it.
• Most of them is hopping on this model because nothing actually changes except that the buyer no longer need to pay extra for multiple usage of the product. Buying single use license will do.
• Those who claim the product to be 100% GPL, is not actually GPL – because they restrict the rights of redistribution or, they are not feeling good when someone does so.

Whats the right way then?

Don’t claim it to be GPL because its actually not and stop taking indirect benefits of it. From business point of view, if it’s required, only announce change of pricing structure because that’s what you really did.

Will I adapt the GPL model for my products?

Earlier also some of the people from twitter suggested me to embrace the GPL model. I would love to change the pricing model but right now, I am not ok with my products being resold, redistributed. I might take that route if required from strategic point of view.

But we still love GPL. Is there a better way?

In my opinion, the best way to embrace GPL model would to release more, and better quality free products while also selling products. Or, have different pricing model wherein a basic copy is offered for free and advanced copies be available for purchase.

Finally, When the controversy started, Ian Stewart mentioned it right:

the most powerful and influential members of the WordPress community don’t care about any of this.

Disclaimer: I do respect all the well known theme developers out there. With paid themes, they have certainly taken the wordpress to better level which otherwise might not have been possible. My views expressed herein are on GPL licensing and ethical usage of it. I am not jelous but if you think I am, then yes, I am .