WordPress Themes by WP Diva

They are partly GPL.

What the Dev Blog’s post (WordPress Themes are GPL Too) glossed over is that only part of a WordPress theme is required to fall under GPL/compatible licensing.

Here’s a plain English translation:

• PHP/JavaScript code that uses WordPress API/code = GPL or compatible
• Graphics, CSS, JavaScript that aren’t derived from GPL licensed graphics, CSS, or Javascript = Whatever license the creator chooses

What that missive fails to understand is that most designers don’t necessarily give too much of a hoot about the underlying PHP code, it’s the graphics and styling.

In some cases, I’ve done WP themes that use hand drawn sketches that have taken me days to render and color. Unfortunately, there will be too many people who just read the post’s title without actually reading the content and will think they have a claim to that hard work to do with it as they please because it’s automatically part of the GPL. Here’s the kicker, it’s not. It’s not GPL unless the creator says so. In fact, it may end up being copyright infringement.

Think about a theme that was ported from a different system that uses another designer’s artwork. It’s uploaded to the WP theme viewer. People are going to assume the artwork is GPL too since, during the port over to WordPress, the original license terms were blurred. What happens when the original creator of the artwork begins policing it?

Plus, the woefully unclear Dev Blog post might mean more designers stop designing for WP once they realize their artwork may be at the mercy of GPL. Or even because of the threat of others not understanding that their artwork is licensed differently than the underlying theme files.

Is it possible to turn this new development into a business model? Of course. There’s even a discussion over at WordPress Wank. Theme developers can simply release their underlying theme code for free and using the GPL license, then those people who want to dress up their blogs (and think about it, what’s the main reason people select a theme? It’s about the look) can purchase a design separately (i.e. CSS/Images/JavaScript).

Will it work? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will answer that question. But it would be considerably difficult since WordPress.org will only support theme developers who release everything, including images/CSS, under the GPL or compatible license and not every designer is comfortable with that. There are some who are willing, but without fresh new ideas, those designs (because every designer has his/her own personal style) will get very stale very fast.

Overall, I believe this whole discussion which has been trampled nearly to death is about one thing, and one thing only: respect. Designers would just like to have a bit of respect for their work. It’s the same with plugin developers and even WP volunteers. People should extend the same courtesy and respect they expect for themselves to others, and we wouldn’t be in this mess at all. Unfortunately, that’s called Utopia and it doesn’t exist.

(By the way, since most people don’t seem to know this, WordPress is GPL because it’s a derivative of b2.)

Further reading:
Getting Pretty Lonely: an excellent essay explaining why the GPL license may be detrimental to commercial developers.
gifts: a very insightful comment by WordPress Wank that somehow disappeared from Lloyd’s post on themes being GPL.

I’m surprised to learn that there are some people out there who appreciate me and my title so much that they’ve decided to start calling themselves the WordPress Diva.

I just wanted to publish a quick note letting everyone know that this site has been the home of the original WordPress Diva since 2006 and though some people will try to ride the WP Diva wave, they aren’t the originals. (The original would use a WordPress theme she developed herself.) It’s flattering though.

In other news, I’ve decided that it’s time to sell the WP Diva brand and website. I had a great many things planned for the site, but unfortunately, not enough time to execute it all. The press release has already gone out and I will be updating this site with the screen shots of the site stats.

Interested parties can send an email to sale AT wpdiva DOT com. Remember to replace the AT with @ and DOT with a period.

I PERSONALLY think that if I were to use a sponsored theme (and I never will) that this “sponsor” should pay ME to have his link there since he’s getting all his linky love off my site. But that’s just me. (Jenny)

With a response by Thomas:

Then Jenny you should pay the designer for the theme you are using expect for (semi-)professional bloggers no one wants to pay for the themes he uses. (Thomas)

Thomas makes a valid point. It seems that the people who want something for nothing are the ones who ultimately forget or don’t fully understand what goes into the production of a single, quality WordPress theme.

Creating a good theme can be an hours long project; themes simply don’t spring to life out of thin air.

• Layout planning
• Color and font selection
• Graphic creation and, in some cases, stock image purchase
• Slicing, dicing, and coding
• Testing and tweaking
• Supporting the finished product

Often, the designers do it for the sheer enjoyment of designing a nice theme, but the hours spent creating that free to use theme are hours that aren’t spent on a paying project. Sure, the theme designer could slap up a donation button, but the fact is that people rarely donate, even when the button is in their face; the amount of donations a theme designer may receive in a year probably wouldn’t even cover an hour spent on the theme production and support.

Not all theme designers are in a position where someone else supports them — providing shelter, buying groceries, and paying the bills. In other words, some theme designers are only able to produce the free themes if it is part of their overall livelihood. Adding a sponsored link is a way to curtail the financial obligations associated with producing the theme. In essence, the link becomes a non-monetary donation from the end user to the theme designer.

With all of that said, there definitely does need to be some basic ethical standards for sponsored themes to make it a win-win-win situation all around. Continue reading »

It’s been brought to my attention that my theme use isn’t entirely clear and that is my own fault.

There’s nothing wrong with a theme author requiring a link for use of a theme — a lot of work goes into developing a theme and they can choose whether they release the theme absolutely free, free as in beer, or with more stipulations. It’s a personal choice. Continue reading »

After some tweaking and playing, the theme playground is now online. In the playground, you can preview each of the themes, click on links, leave comments and just see how the theme works on a blog.

I’ll be spending some time this week updating each individual blog entry with a link to its preview.