[theme-reviewers] GPL and limiting usage

[Emil Uzelac]

@Chip

So what you're saying is that this
http://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/
cannot be http://yoast.com/wordpress-seo-premium-release/ well, it kind of
is and this model or at least similar one is out and about already.


On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 2:26 PM, Chip Bennett <chip at chipbennett.net> wrote:

> If the 1-, 6-, unlimited-site breakdown represents *usage*, of code
> contained entirely in the distributed Plugin, then that is a
> GPL-incompatible usage restriction. If it represents support, then it is
> not GPL-incompatible.
>
> The primary question at this point is: does existing policy apply to all
> WordPress-extension code (Themes *and* Plugins), or merely to Themes, on
> what I would consider to be a technicality. IMHO, it's simple: either WPORG
> policy requires anyone who hosts code on WPORG to distribute their
> WordPress-extending code GPL-compatibly, or not.
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 3:16 PM, Bryan Hadaway <bhadaway at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> *@Dude* - I want you to not dismiss legitimate issues regardless of
>> where they come from. Also, do you really want to have this discussion?
>> Besides both Ulrich and I being theme reviewers, we're both privy to the
>> ticket and its issues because *you* participated in a discussion with
>> Ulrich and I where *you* made us aware of the ticket in the first place.
>>
>>
>> "*@Dane/Towfiq sorry guys, just another ruined day for us too, but hey
>> it's Friday!*"
>>
>> I'm tired of this dismissive/passive aggressive nonsense. Because you and
>> some of the other admins either don't agree, don't like, or are not
>> comfortable with things other people in this list are discussing does not
>> render them moot. It seems apparent that @Dane was starting to see some
>> legitimate concern/confusion here too.
>>
>> *@Otto* - Man, I don't know what to say, it's like you're responding to
>> someone else who's saying different things. I'm sorry, your responses don't
>> make sense in response to what I'm saying. It's sort of like I'm asking you
>> "Is the sky blue?" and your response is "No, the grass is green."
>>
>> "*But what the GPL does not say is that there must be additional
>> assistance provided by other people to make that code useful.*"
>>
>> *I agree with you Otto.
>>
>> I agree with you Otto.
>>
>> I agree with you Otto.*
>>
>> That has never been the discussion, no one has ever said that.
>>
>> The distinction that the 1, 6 and unlimited sites restriction being a
>> usage limitation and nothing to do with support has already been clarified.
>> This isn't a guess, speculation, accusation or something that I completely
>> made up. This is a clarification that came directly from the horses mouth:
>>
>> https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/14116#comment:14
>>
>> *Chip* - "*In particular, can you clarify what "1 website", "6
>> websites", and "unlimited websites" mean. Is that use, or support/updates?
>> If that is limiting use, then that's not GPL-compatible.*"
>>
>> https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/14116#comment:15
>>
>> *Andrew* - "*The Keys that the clients get when they purchase can be
>> used to unlock 'pro' mode on a set number of websites, either 1, 6 or
>> unlimited.
>> *
>> * Limiting use, as far as functionality, does not break GPL. Limiting
>> use of the code however, does. this is a very important distinction. Users
>> can, if they want, edit the code and remove all the key functionality and
>> enable pro through editing code.*"
>>
>> *@Chip* - Thank goodness! The voice of reason! Thank you for responding
>> on the subscription issue, could you please also comment on the 1, 6, and
>> unlimited sites usage restriction issue?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
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>>
>>
>
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