Title: Can WordPress be propritory ?
Last modified: August 19, 2016

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# Can WordPress be propritory ?

 *  Resolved [Md Yakub Mizan](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mymizan/)
 * (@mymizan)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/)
 * I am not sure whether it’s right to post here. But, this is miscellaneous section
   and i haven’t found this answer searching .
    Can wordpress plugin be proprietory?
   I have been using a plugin that does not let me redistribute or modify or base
   on it and it’s based on wordpress. I know that wordpress is GPL’ed and and plugins
   uses hooks provided by it. They are not meant to be functional without wordpress.
   Whats my moral duty in this case. i can redistribute that one?

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

 *  Anonymous User
 * (@anonymized-3085)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820910)
 * Is the plugin hosted here on WordPress.org?
 *  Thread Starter [Md Yakub Mizan](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mymizan/)
 * (@mymizan)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820915)
 * no, it’s not on wordpress plugin repository. I am thinking so, i might use some
   its code.
    Thanks.
 * I couldn’t edit the title actually i meant **that wordpress plugin**
 *  [Root](https://wordpress.org/support/users/root/)
 * (@root)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820961)
 * Rich I am not sure what u mean by “hosted here on WordPress.org”. Plugins are
   downloadable code they don’t need hosting.
 *  [Root](https://wordpress.org/support/users/root/)
 * (@root)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820967)
 * To answer the OP the terms of the GPL are contained in the GPL. If I – or anybody
   else – tell you what I think they mean we are expressing a personal opinion not
   making a statement of law. Whether a plugin is a derivative work or is identifiable
   section of that work not derived from the program, and can be reasonably considered
   independent and separate works in themselves; and in particular plugins or indeed
   themes which are not distributed as bundled with WP to which the GPL and derivative
   works undoubtedly applies; but are in fact distributed as “separate works” is
   a highly controversial subject and quite rightly one which is outside the scope
   of this forum. It is fair to say that many people have very well informed views
   on this subject. It is also true that many of them disagree. I like to always
   bear in mind that the very purpose of the GPL is to confer – indeed guarantee–
   freedoms to the user. The user includes, you, me, and anybody else including 
   theme and plugin developers. I understand the GPL stops anyone licensing and /
   or patenting a deriviative of WP.
 *  Anonymous User
 * (@anonymized-3085)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820981)
 * [@root](https://wordpress.org/support/users/root/) – in the plugin repository
   here on WordPress.org
 *  [Root](https://wordpress.org/support/users/root/)
 * (@root)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820991)
 * subtly different question – what wp is willing to allow in its repo………

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

The topic ‘Can WordPress be propritory ?’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Everything else WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/miscellaneous/)
 * 6 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Root](https://wordpress.org/support/users/root/)
 * Last activity: [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/can-wordpress-be-propritory/#post-1820991)
 * Status: resolved

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