Sponsered Theme, GPL, and Copyright

  • I know that sponsored themes have been of great debate on here, but this question is not regarding whether or not they are good, but about GPL Licenses.

    My designer downloaded a theme that he liked from https://wpthemeDOTnet/blacksmoke-wordpress-theme-ready-for-download
    Called Black Smoke. After downloading he noticed that the theme had an encrypted footer with spam and the WordPress Bookmarks code removed and Spam inserted.

    In the footer it said it was based on FarFromFearless theme but did not give the a link to them. The designer went to the site and noticed that the code was identical as their Lemon Lime theme (except for the added Spam Code).

    We put back the original WordPress Bookmarks and took out the spam in the footer plus added a link to FarFromFearless site.

    Since it was an exact copy: same code, same image names (image color modified), same CSS (colors modified) we just linked back to FarFromFearless and not the site that is claiming credit for design. I mean even the header image is the exact same except the color was altered and the new designer’s logo on top.

    Is this a violation of the GPL and is the creator of BlackSmoke violating the GPL License? I think at least the BlackSmoke theme should have a link to FarFromFearless and not just text.

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

  • I don’t think it’s a violation of the GPL, as he is free to modify anything he wants, but he’s not allowed to then sell it (which he wasn’t doing, right?)

    just as you’re free to do what you want with the spam code, or whatever it is you’ve removed.

    themes are not subject to waranty, and theme authors are under no obligation to be ethical, so it’s a case of buyer beware, and if you like, just ask for your money back, I’m sure they’d be happy to refund the nothing you spent.

    sponsored or otherwise, if a design is subject to GPL, then you’re totally clear to remove the sponsorship code.

    Thread Starter repoulin

    (@repoulin)

    Thanks for that fast reply. He wasn’t selling it, just trying to force me to keep in the Spam and try and claim it as his own original code. I like open source, but it is a shame when people try and take credit for other people’s work.

    Thanks again Ivovic

    no worries dude, and I agree with you, but I think the best way to deal with guys like this, is to wipe them off, like sh*t off your shoe.

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