First of all – If you need actual legal advice, consult a licensed professional in your jurisdiction. So what I’m about to say is just “random thoughts from a person on the internet” and not to be considered in any way, shape, or form, as legal advice. The GPL allows you to modify GPL-licensed code for your use. If you do not distribute these changes (usually interpreted as providing the code to others as a plugin, theme, code snippet, etc.) then you don’t need to do anything. However, if you do allow others to access and use your code modifications, you are expected to license your code modifications as GPL as well.
So back to your question – just using your modified code on your site does not necessarily mean you are distributing that code.
Moderator
t-p
(@t-p)
Plugin Review Team can be reached by email at plugins＠wordpress.org, or via the #pluginreview channel on Slack. You’ll need to join that channel.
Moderator
Jan Dembowski
(@jdembowski)
Forum Moderator and Brute Squad
When i modify a plugin for my public website, have i to include the changes in the license?
The license does not change regardless of your code changes.
If you distribute your plugin then you need to give credit and attribution to the original code and author. It would be nice if you also explained what you’ve changed.
Thanks to all,
@bemdesign i think like you, just some dubt.
@t-p i’ll try to ask 🙂
@jdembowski if i use it just on my website (as plugin installed, not for be downloaded from users) it is considered “distribute”?
Moderator
Jan Dembowski
(@jdembowski)
Forum Moderator and Brute Squad
Nope. That’s not distributing code, that’s using code and since it’s all GPL’ed then have fun and do what you like with it.
There’s no restriction on any code on WordPress.org that would prevent you from making any change you like on any code running on your website.
Many thanks @jdembowski! Now it is clear 🙂
Just last question, can i instal and modify a MIT licensed plugin on WP?
Moderator
Jan Dembowski
(@jdembowski)
Forum Moderator and Brute Squad
I think so? I’m not aware of any MIT licensed plugins on WordPress.ORG but there’s many plugins and I’m not on that team. 😉
@jdembowski Many thanks 🙂
