Title: Are WordPress plugins automatically GPL?
Last modified: November 14, 2024

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# Are WordPress plugins automatically GPL?

 *  [oguruma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/oguruma/)
 * (@oguruma)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/)
 * I am curious if it’s possible to build plugins that are proprietary and not subject
   to the GPL. I know that the GPL stipulates that “derivative works” must be licensed
   under GPL, or a more permissive license, but what exactly would be considered
   a “derivative work” in that regards?
   Is simply interacting with WordPress code
   considered to be a “derivative work”? If so, wouldn’t that also apply to a third-
   party app that calls the WordPress API?

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  [Kaito Hanamori](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/)
 * (@kaitohm)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18134447)
 * Here’s a great answer from [another forum thread](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/gpl-questions-for-a-wordpress-site-hosted-on-internet/#post-17002639):
 * > [The] PHP code loaded and interpreted together with WordPress PHP core code
   > should be under GPL. This means – all plugins and themes PHP code should be
   > GPLv2, assets can have another license
 * GPL refers only to code, and not an _interaction_. So apps that operate independently
   to WordPress, do not include WordPress code, and simply use APIs to interact 
   with WordPress would not be derivative works.
 *  Thread Starter [oguruma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/oguruma/)
 * (@oguruma)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18134492)
 * [@kaitohm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/) I appreciate the input!
 * So then theoretically, somebody could set up their own repository of every WordPress
   theme and plugin (both free and paid), and then host that for an infinite number
   of people to use?
    -  This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by [oguruma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/oguruma/).
 *  [Kaito Hanamori](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/)
 * (@kaitohm)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18134514)
 * Yes, theoretically, anyone may do that. Each of those plugins and themes should
   inherit GPL, though.
 *  Thread Starter [oguruma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/oguruma/)
 * (@oguruma)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18134598)
 * [@kaitohm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/) That’s not originally
   why I asked, but I do suspect I’d find that useful. Clients often reach out to
   me because their site uses some kind of paid plugin (Elementor Pro, ACF Pro, 
   etc.) and they can’t update it because they failed to renew their paid membership/
   support plan for that plugin. It seems like it might be convenient (and possibly
   cost-effective for those involved) to make a repo that hosts the most recent 
   version(s) of those plugins and then a simple plugin to override the plugins’
   default update repo to the “forked” repo.
 *  [Kaito Hanamori](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/)
 * (@kaitohm)
 * [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18136918)
 * [@oguruma](https://wordpress.org/support/users/oguruma/) GPL only relates to 
   code. So what you are describing wouldn’t be prohibited by GPL.
 * However, there are other ethical considerations. Pro plugin creators need to 
   be paid for their services including providing plugin updates, support, documentation,
   bug fixes etc. When someone signs up to a Pro plugin’s plan, they are supporting
   the people behind the plugin to continue providing their services. While the 
   suggested “forked” repo may reduce the financial commitment on the user, it doesn’t
   support the creator, and would affect the services they are able to provide.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The topic ‘Are WordPress plugins automatically GPL?’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Developing with WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/wp-advanced/)
 * 5 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Kaito Hanamori](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaitohm/)
 * Last activity: [1 year, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/are-wordpress-plugins-automatically-gpl/#post-18136918)
 * Status: not resolved

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