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Theme authors, what do you think? (9 posts)

  1. kingcosmonaut
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    Some guy asked me if he could port Blix over to TxP which was fine with me, and as far as I understand the GPL license, I couldn't have declined anyway. Now that I've seen the already released result I'm disappointed and a bit upset. He has rewritten the css from scratch, making it brake in FF, screwing up the details, and together with the bad XHTML making it look amateurish. Finally it's missing all the functionality that Blix comes with thanks to the BX_functions as well as the contact form.

    Again, as far as I understand the license, he can do that. What he can't do is releasing it without license, which he did. But my real problem is that I feel bad to see such crap called Blix. This is not to say that Blix is the best, but still I've put a lot of work into it (and still do, as 1.0 is coming soon) which he doesn't care for.

    Theme authors, what is your experience in such a case? Have you had that problem, too? Did you do anything? Can I do anything?

    I haven't contacted him so far because I wanted to see what others think first.

  2. Root
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    I have seen that - and I feel some sympathy for you. There isnt really a perfect solution. I dont see why you should not register your complaint in the TXP forum and at least alert potential users. You could contact the author. As a first step if it was redescribed as *inspired by etc* it might be better. If you wanted you could release an *official* version. Authors who care about this would do far better releasing their work under a creative commons license. That may help in the future. HTH.

  3. Cheshil
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    Thats a nice template :) The WP one :)

    As a matter of interest can your bx function be used in other themes?
    Cheshil

  4. kingcosmonaut
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    Thanks for your replies!

    Root, *inspired by* sounds good, we'll see if he agrees on that. I've also thought about an official version, which a "high-profile" TxP user has vaguely offered to create sometime in the future. Do you think a CC license would give me more control?

    Cheshil, yes, that's possible. The Mx4 theme uses some functions as well as Shawn Grimes Clear Archive plugin, which is based on BX_archives(). Just make sure to contact me beforehand to ask for the latest version.

  5. Jinsan
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    King look at the licences and read them up - at the end of the day, the licence does have a degree of legality about it - that is to say it is your work and you have given permission to modify it as they see fit as long as x, y and z are met - I think GPL does allow the protection of the original material to some extent and to reflect the wishes of the author. Check out the CC licences as there are several and see if any of them fit your requirements.

  6. kingcosmonaut
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    You're right Jinsan, I will have to spent some time to dig deeper into the licenses. What I like about the CC licenses is their clear and easy to understand summary.

  7. Root
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    The GPL is the wrong licence for themes which are creative works not software.
    Creative Commons requires a link, and prevents unauthorised modification. Practically it is very difficult to prevent abuse but in high profile forums generally people wont breach it.

  8. angsuman
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    Well GPL technically protects you in that your terms of license must be propagated (infected?). In real life you wouldn't take him to court as the stakes are low. So you can first write to him explaining your concerns, if that fails shame him in forums and aggresively inform people about his actions. You can also release an offocial theme and I am sure quality will prevail.

    If you think you are spending too much time on this, take a break, take a deep breath and let it go :) It isn't worth it.

  9. kingcosmonaut
    Member
    Posted 7 years ago #

    angsuman, shame him in forums? I'd never do that. The whole thing isn't such a big issue and I'm hopeful that it can be resolved :-)

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