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From my understanding, only the code that interacts with the Wordpress method calls would be subject to GPL. You can abstract out the code that is not dependen
by tzm 16y ago
From my understanding, only the code that interacts with the Wordpress method calls would be subject to GPL. You can abstract out the code that is not dependent upon Wordpress and avoid GPL overall.
An example of this is using RESTful APIs in a cloud environment, where your logic runs on an entirely different server.
Another example is to imagine a plugin that integrates Microsoft Outlook with Wordpress. Would Outlook then be subject to GPL? No. But, the code that sits between Wordpress and Outlook probably would be.
- callmeed 16y agoDoesn't every theme call WordPress methods in order to get posts, use widgets, etc?
- tzm 16y agoThemes, most likely; Apps, not likely. I think confusion occurs when themes become web apps with their own internal codebase outside of Wordpress as a blog platform. The crux of this issue seems to be a philosophical debate.
- sigzero 16y agoYes but. I personally think it sucks that you would force a "theme" maker to use a specific license. However, if Wordpress says they have to be GPL and you know they have to be GPL, then just release it as GPL because that is the right thing to do.
- slantyyz 16y agoBut wait. The theme documentation is public, and as far as I know, you don't have to agree to any license to read it. IN THEORY, you could write a simple theme without even having Wordpress (albeit totally impractical). So if some mad scientist PHP programmer wrote a theme based totally on the documentation freely available on the website without ever installing Wordpress or looking at the Wordpress source, would that theme be subject to the GPL?
- pavs 16y agoThesis is more than just a gobbled up css theme, its a framework within wordpress. It won't work (the same way) without wordpress.
- slantyyz 16y agoI don't really have a horse in this race, but from the sounds of it, Chris does seem crazy enough to stick it out in a court fight. My gut tells me he would come out the winner if it went to judgement.
- Psyonic 16y agoAs a general rule, "gut feel" doesn't predict the outcome of legal battles all that well.
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]