[theme-reviewers] GPL and limiting usage

[Trent Lapinski]

Otto, 

"Because a company charging an ongoing fee for service/support/upgrades is clearly not a violation."

Have you not been paying attention?

IT IS NOT A SERVICE / SUPPORT / UPGRADE FEE.

PageLines is forcing users to subscribe to non-GPL compatible licenses for Pro features and removes access to the features if you stop paying.

They are then charging users different prices for different levels of usage based on how many sites you get Pro features for. In other words, they are selling the same software 3 times under 3 different pricing points with the only difference between them being usage limitations which is ABSOLUTELY a GPL violation and NOT GPL Compatible.

No one is arguing that support services and upgrade fees are bad, or not GPL compatible, what we are arguing is USAGE Limitations and a pricing structure based on usage limitations forcing users into locked in subscriptions is a GPL violation. 

--Trent Lapinski
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CEO of CyberChimps Inc

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