[wp-hackers] Blatant Copying of Plugin Code

[Phillip Lord]

The GPL doesn't allow what he is claiming. He says that his author name
has been removed. GPL allows you to use other peoples content, but the
copyright on that content remains with the originators. The GPL requires
"appropriate copyright notice" on modified forms; as the copyright
remains (in part) with the original author this would have to be
included. 

The GPL does allow you rebadge things; but you have to be clear that
this is what you have done. 

Phil

Mike Schinkel <mikeschinkel at newclarity.net> writes:
> P.S. The moral is: When you use (or operate in an ecosystem that uses)
> a license that allows anyone freedom to do whatever they want with
> your code, don't be surprised or upset when someone takes you up on
> that freedom. It happens; just ask the guys at Jigowatt.

>>>>>> It has just come to our attention that a plugin, Smart Share Floating
>>>>>> Buttons, which was launched earlier today on wordpress.org is an exact copy
>>>>>> of a plugin we developed called slick social share buttons. In fact the
>>>>>> plugin still contains links to our own website, where the "author" has
>>>>>> forgotten to remove some of the links. The only changes made to the files
>>>>>> are to change the author name and site to his own. In fact he couldnt
>>>>>> actually be bothered to even rename files.