Someone is acquiring my company that uses WordPress. Will I be sued?

  • I understand wordpress is open source. I run a big web 2.0 application using wordpress as a backbone. I took WordPress and modified it to become a social networking site.

    Someone has made an acquisition offer. Will WordPress be getting a share? Are acquisitions illegal under open source licenses?

    One of my major features also runs on someone else’s plugin — he says it’s open source, but I doubt he will be so quiet if he finds out how much my website was acquired for! Am I legally bound to everyone here? How does company acquisitions work when the entire application runs on WordPress?

    Thanks for the info!

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • I would think (if I were in your position) that I would desire to consult with legal counsel in private. Taking any other recommendation than that, from anyone, anywhere on the internet is foolhardy at best. One would have to assume that it may also not be in your best interest to discuss the matter openly until seeking advice from legal counsel. That is just my opinion, of course. I offer no advice at all in reference to your questions.

    Best wishes.

    The GPL kicks in only when software is distributed, hence why so many websites can use open-source software like jQuery without becoming open-source themselves. Being acquired is different from distribution (otherwise the Facebooks of this world couldn’t be worth so much).

    Old thread. And I agree with ClaytonJames around the concepts – one for legal folk.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • The topic ‘Someone is acquiring my company that uses WordPress. Will I be sued?’ is closed to new replies.