Title: Paying for WordPress Plugins
Last modified: August 18, 2016

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# Paying for WordPress Plugins

 *  [Brandon](https://wordpress.org/support/users/seofeed/)
 * (@seofeed)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/)
 * Am I to understand that it’s against WordPress’s licensing agreement to charge
   for plugins?
 * I saw a thread that stated any code that uses WordPress should be distributed
   under the GPL license.
 * Thanks for the help.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

 *  [yngwin](https://wordpress.org/support/users/yngwin/)
 * (@yngwin)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415001)
 * The GPL doesn’t forbid charging for software. It makes it free as in free speech,
   not necessarily as in free beer. You may even try to sell WordPress itself if
   you want, as long as you keep the original license.
 *  Thread Starter [Brandon](https://wordpress.org/support/users/seofeed/)
 * (@seofeed)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415004)
 * I have an idea for a plugin that would be targeted to marketers and I haven’t
   seen anything else out there like it. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t step
   on any toes by charging for it.
 * I’ve seen plenty of WordPress packages that people charge for, and I’ve also 
   seen plenty of domains with “wordpress” in the domain.
 * The funny thing about it is that WordPress states using their name in a domain
   is a violation of their copyright.
 * Any thoughts?
 *  [ladydelaluna](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ladydelaluna/)
 * (@ladydelaluna)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415008)
 * Using it in a domain, yes. However by default, when you install wordpress by 
   uploading the folder, you essentially create a subdomain called “wordpress” and
   that’s not against the T&C.
 * I think it (the domain thing) probably has to do more with brand recognition 
   than anything else… but you’d have to ask Matt and the other devs what they mean
   by it to be sure.
 * But essentially, as a designer, when I charge my client to install wordpress 
   and theme it, I’m technically charging them for the transfer of the software 
   from me to them. I’m not charging them for the software itself, but my work in
   installing and theming for them.
 * Personally? I despise the idea of paid-for plugins, regardless of what they do,
   or who they’re geared toward. It goes against the open-souce ideals that wordpress
   itself was built upon. JMHO… and I’m an Internet Marketing / SEO specialist. (
   Nevermind the fact that typically, people can view plugins from someone’s site
   anyway, and get your code for free.)
 *  Thread Starter [Brandon](https://wordpress.org/support/users/seofeed/)
 * (@seofeed)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415047)
 * I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I meant registering domains like wordpresstutorials.
   com and poweryourwordpress.com. Any thoughts on that?
 *  [Pizdin Dim](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pizdin_dim/)
 * (@pizdin_dim)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415053)
 * > _“I despise the idea of paid-for plugins, regardless of what they do, or who
   > they’re geared toward. It goes against the open-souce ideals that wordpress
   > itself was built upon.”_
 * Why? Isn’t that the very thing that’s **against** what open-source itself is 
   based on? I understood it to mean that charging is irrelevant, it’s the freedom
   to do what you want with it (and not being able to deny that freedom to others)
   what matters.
 * > _“Nevermind the fact that typically, people can view plugins from someone’s
   > site anyway, and get your code for free.”_
 * That’s not always the case. Not all plugins are available for download at no 
   charge, surely. I’m (pretty) sure there must be some out there which are only
   distributed after payment.
 *  [whooami](https://wordpress.org/support/users/whooami/)
 * (@whooami)
 * [19 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415062)
 * _“I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I meant registering domains like wordpresstutorials.
   com and poweryourwordpress.com. Any thoughts on that?”_
 * Please read here: [http://wordpress.org/about/domains/](http://wordpress.org/about/domains/)
 * Furthermore, that domains do exist, doesnt mean its OK. People steal, kill, etc..
   still against the law just about everywhere and most moral/ethical codes.
 * What thoughts anyone else here has are of no consequence. Why is it even debatable?
 *  [busayellow](https://wordpress.org/support/users/busayellow/)
 * (@busayellow)
 * [19 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415283)
 * Seofeed –
 * I am curious, did you pull off selling a wordpress plugin? I have an idea for
   a plugin and would like to sell it as well via internet marketing. I was wondering
   if you had success and if so if you could provide any pointers.
 * Thank you.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

The topic ‘Paying for WordPress Plugins’ is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [buying](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/buying/)

 * 7 replies
 * 6 participants
 * Last reply from: [busayellow](https://wordpress.org/support/users/busayellow/)
 * Last activity: [19 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/paying-for-wordpress-plugins/#post-415283)
 * Status: not resolved

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