Title: Plugin Licensing Issues – GPL Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Plugin Licensing Issues – GPL * [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/) * Hi I’m new to WordPress plugin development, and have heard that according to GPL license you are allowed to sell, redistribute or to modify product. * I’ve modified the ViperBar plugin and then renamed it to ViperBar Plus and then submitted to WordPress repository luckily it got accepted. I’ve also placed the donation link on my site. * Now the creator of ViperBar plugin is asking me stealer and want me remove the plugin. * I need your help Please help me. * Should I remove the Plugin ? Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2040997) * **It’s urgent Please suggest me fast I don’t want to do something illegal or want to curb someone rights Thanks I’m waiting for solution** * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2040999) * This is part of the GPL license which clearly indicates you are allowed to sell now Please help me. * **If I use a piece of software that has been obtained under the GNU GPL, am I allowed to modify the original code into a new program, then distribute and sell that new program commercially?** You are allowed to sell copies of the modified program commercially, but only under the terms of the GNU GPL. Thus, for instance, you must make the source code available to the users of the program as described in the GPL, and they must be allowed to redistribute and modify it as described in the GPL. * These requirements are the condition for including the GPL-covered code you received in a program of your own. * [Clayton James](https://wordpress.org/support/users/claytonjames/) * (@claytonjames) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041001) * Here is some reference material you may or may not have seen. [The WordPress License](http://wordpress.org/about/license/) [ GNU General Public License, version 2 * If you have questions regarding licensing or copyright disputes, you should seek the advice of qualified representation. * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041003) * Thanks for replying I need some authentic information expecting WordPress staff to answer this question because they always talk about GPL. * and I have modified the code but didn’t changed the copyright notice which is same that is with ViperBar plugin. * Please may be someone else could help me ? * [Clayton James](https://wordpress.org/support/users/claytonjames/) * (@claytonjames) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041011) * > I need some authentic information expecting WordPress staff to answer this > question because they always talk about GPL. * I don’t believe it gets any more “authentic” than the information I guided you to, but perhaps someone else will come along and express an opinion you want to hear. Good luck to you. * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041013) * I’m sorry if my behave is aggressive to you basically I’m in stress. * For authentic information I mean that modified ViperBar i.e ViperBar Plus is hosted on WordPress so I want someone from WordPress to solve this issue I don’t want me to curb someone others right. as you mentioned the GPL license I have read it and got to know that I’m not doing anything illegal but for the sake of confirmation i ask authentic. * [Clayton James](https://wordpress.org/support/users/claytonjames/) * (@claytonjames) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041015) * > I’m sorry if my behave is aggressive to you basically I’m in stress. * That’s no problem. I don’t mind. I can only imagine that the actual plugin author must feel quite the same. * I downloaded your version of the plugin as well as the original version, and ran differentials on the files. I must say, that if I were the creator and active maintainer of that plugin, I would be taking strong issue with the manner in which you have approached your plugin. * In spite of your minor disclaimer in viperbar.php and some options changes and after looking through the changes in all of the files, I would be possessed with an exceptional determination to have your plugin removed. But** that’s just my own opinion**. Of course, I do not have all the facts, and I can only form an opinion based on what I see in the files. * Good luck getting it sorted out. * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041042) * I respect your opinion and I hope I have not done something illegal the author as far I know should have reported it to WordPress, if WordPress staff think there is something illegal they will remove the plugin and thanks for testing both. I have learned really good lesson today. * Now my question is GPL dependent on number of modifications ? or you are allowed to do as much you can and then distribute it ? * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041046) * In Viperbar Plus only users which are not logged-in will see Viperbar. You already have confirmed email address of your users and If the admin bar is not disabled most of the users will see two bars which easily annoys readers. * This is the description which i used with viperbar plugin description and it clearly describes the plugin motive and also there is preview feature fixed which doesn’t work correctly. * then in authors field I Have this Authors: ViperChill, S0nu * again there were not any hidden glitches i made clear about the plugin and also copyright notice of author was not changed in any version so the only purpose of changing in current version is because users should contact me if something unintentional happen not the author. * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041055) * After hours of searching I’ve found this thread which may answers some of the questions not all, and if you had any problem with licensing issues you should consult this thread and also GPL license- link is provided by ClaytonJames on his messages. * Thread Starter [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * (@s0nu) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041057) * This is link to that thread. [http://bbpress.org/forums/topic/the-rise-of-pay-only-bbpress-themes](http://bbpress.org/forums/topic/the-rise-of-pay-only-bbpress-themes) Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) The topic ‘Plugin Licensing Issues – GPL’ is closed to new replies. * 11 replies * 2 participants * Last reply from: [s0nu](https://wordpress.org/support/users/s0nu/) * Last activity: [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-licensing-issues-gpl/#post-2041057) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics