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Author: Subject: AutoTheme Lite License Discussion

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Posts: 21
Registered: 2/19/2003
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  posted on 3/3/2003 at 08:26 PM
I just read a comment made by Shawn, in the polling comments section that confuses me so I wanted to bring this discussion to the forums to make sure I understand.

Here's what Shawn says,

"....Let''s say you wanted to develop themes with AutoTheme 1.0 and then sell them!

You can't do that now unless the user buying the theme also has AutoTheme 1.0 (they buy or you buy a license for them), because you can''t sell or otherwise redistribute the AutoTheme 1.0 code."

This is understandable and he is within his rights to do this. However the next statement is what is confusing to me:

"...And even the AutoTheme Beta 5 (soon to be AutoTheme Lite) is limited in that the code is GPL and freely distributable, but it can not be included in a theme that you sell."

Again I don't have any issues with Shawn attempting to make a living with this tool. But I don't think he can restrict the use of the tool in the way he's stated above when it is licensed under the GPL because the GPL gives the user the right to distribute, copy, change, and yes, even charge for their work even if your tool is included. So not giving them those rights are not permitted under the GPL.

So please Shawn, clarify this for us all because I really want to make sure we are all on the same page regarding AutoThemes Lite licensing issues.

So the question is, it is either GPL or it isn't GPL. And if you're saying that as a designer I can use AutoTheme lite to create a theme, but then I can't in turn sell that theme then I'm not sure if that is enforcable in the GPL.



[Edited on 3/3/2003 by vworld]

 
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  posted on 3/3/2003 at 09:10 PM
O.K. Here it goes...

I was mixing my thoughts while writing that comment.

According to the terms of the GNU GPL, you MAY include AutoTheme Lite .6 code in a derivative work (theme) that you distribute for a fee. But I guess my thoughts got mixed up because I couldn't see this as being advantageous to the theme designer/seller.

The stipulation is, that you MUST license the derivative work (theme) that includes the AutoTheme Lite .6 code as a whole under the GNU GPL.

So what this means is that you can charge a fee for your theme that includes the AutoTheme Lite .6 code, but the user receiving the theme has all of the rights under the GNU GPL for the entire theme. So they can modify and/or redistribute the theme for free or for a fee.

So if you sell one theme to one user, they may post the theme for download on their site or email it to anyone in the world or even exchange it for a fee. They have that freedom.

It definitely wasn't my intent to elude to any restrictions placed on my GPL code, but I guess I just couldn't understand why someone would sell something that was freely distributable to anyone after it was purchased.

HTH
-Shawn

BTW... I will edit that comment

Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

[Edited on 3/3/2003 by shawn]

 
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  posted on 3/3/2003 at 09:21 PM
Using that logic then all the themes created for all PN sites would be freely distributable because they were created using PHP and PostNuke which are both GPL'd tools. However, I think we're trying to compare apples to oranges.

If I create a theme this doesn't take away my right to put stipulations on that theme. I will have to think about this a bit more but if this line of reasoning is true then all themes available today would be tied to the GPL and they aren't. I think these works come under a different license all together....but again I will have to do my research and think about this a bit more.

 
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  posted on 3/3/2003 at 09:47 PM
Just to let everyone know, it really doesn't matter much to me what you do with the GPL code as long as everyone has GPL rights to it.

If you want to build themes based on AutoTheme Lite .6 or earlier betas and charge for them, no problem. Since parts of the GPL are open to interpretation, if you want to restrict the copying and distribution of your HTML and graphics, no problem I guess.

However, the AutoTheme Lite .6 code (e.g. PHP files) will remain GNU GPL regardless of what modifications are made and by whom.

HTH
-Shawn

 
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  posted on 3/3/2003 at 10:17 PM
Shawn, thanks for clarifying the issues and stating your position. And I'm committed to understanding and adhering to the GPL both in spirit and in requirements. And I knew you were that kind of person too, that's why I wanted to make sure we all knew exactly what was meant etc.

Again, thanks for your efforts for this community and your response to the posts.

http://www.designs4nuke.com


[Edited on 22/3/2003 by vworld]

 
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Registered: 1/7/2003
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  posted on 3/22/2003 at 01:44 PM
I have modified the theme AT-XP. I´ve completely changed the colors and graphics and renamed it.

I will now redistibute it for free to other Postnuke users - but I am now wondering about the credits I ought to mention somewhere in the files.

Is it okey to wright something like this in the theme.html:

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------
//This theme "ArvidNocturne" is a modified version of "AT-XP".
//
//
// Original Author of file: Shawn -http://spidean.mckenzies.ne
//
// Modified by Fredrik Arvidsson - fredrik@fredrikarvidsson.com
// http://www.fredrikarvidsson.com
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------

By the way you can preview the theme here:
http://www.fredrikarvidsson.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Ar vidNocturne&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view _photo.php

But, if I in the next theme I create - as a start - use (as an example) AT-PMS and do a lot of changes in the code and graphics so that the final result is far away from the original look - do I then have to give credit?

How much changes do I have to make for not adding credit to the original uthor of the file.

I imaging that looking at the code they will understand that it is an Autotheme even if there are no specific credit.

Fredrik aka SWEDEN4

 
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  posted on 3/22/2003 at 02:15 PM
You should always give credit to original work.

It just comes down to respect for other peoples work.

 
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  posted on 3/22/2003 at 03:56 PM
Just my opinion on my work, you don't need to add any credits to any HTML or other files. Just leave existing credits in the PHP files or wherever they are.

-Shawn

 
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  posted on 3/22/2003 at 04:53 PM
Okey, thank you!

SWEDEN4

 
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