As some of you know, there’s been a bit of tension in the WordPress theming community about the removal of 200 themes from the WordPress.org theme repository last week. Many of us have been all over this topic for quite a few days now.
Matt Mullenweg was on a special episode of the WordPress Weekly podcast this afternoon and well into the evening to explain his stance on the removal and to clarify what he thinks the WordPress project is about, including GPL themes (Update: Listen to the show).
One of the things I really got out of this discussion was a sense of serenity with an announcement I’ve wanted to make. This really all comes down to something I posted in the WP Weekly chatroom:
The point is that we should stop trying to avoid the GPL and get with the program.
Yes, I quoted myself. I believe it’s a fairly accurate quote, but it may have a word or two out of place. The point I’m realling getting at is that I’ve long been a supporter of open source in the WordPress-o-Sphere, but I haven’t been playing entirely by the GPL rules myself.
Also, if you don’t know Matt’s stance on the removal of the themes by now, it’s pretty simple. He doesn’t want to promote anything on WordPress.org that isn’t GPL friendly.
The GPL and WordPress themes
My personal interpretation of the GPL and WordPress themes is that theme authors can license XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images outside of the GPL. It’d be hard to convince me otherwise when it comes to the PHP in themes.
But why are we looking for ways to justify restrictive licensing on themes? Why do we keep asking, “Well, what if I do this?” Or, “What if I do that?”
Why are we not embracing the GPL and thinking of more creative ways to build our businesses around WordPress?
My WordPress themes
Most members of my theme club at Theme Hybrid have been very supportive in the last few months as I’ve transitioned to a support/services based business model (themes are free, support and tutorials cost a minimal fee).
Even though I’ve moved in this direction, I still have a few themes with restrictive licenses, and they’ve held me back from going completely open source. Over the past year, these three themes have been downloaded a total of 133,246 times.
- Options theme (50,609)
- Structure theme (51,631)
- Visionary theme (32,206)
I didn’t post these numbers to boast but to move toward a point, which I will get to in a moment. I’m not even sure how well those numbers stack up to other popular themes, but I’m fairly certain that those are decent numbers. Both Options and Structure are pulling nearly 1,000 downloads per week.
I posted those numbers because I want you to know that those three themes are what I’ve built up my reputation with in the WordPress community (at least a large part of it has to do with the themes).
Just as a sidenote: If I had $1 for every time one of the themes was downloaded, I’d be a very happy man.
What this post is all about
Effective at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2009, I will discontinue each of these themes.
I don’t want any themes on my sites that aren’t fully compatible with the GPL. Out of respect for those that have previously purchased licensing fees to remove credit links, I will not release these themes under a different license.
For those that have purchased any type of license for Options, Structure, or Visionary, I will make updates available if something changes in WordPress that needs to be addressed within the theme. I will also continue offering support for theme club members that are using one of these three themes.
Is this a bad move?
I don’t think so. I have a lot more to offer in the next couple of months that’ll make those three themes seem insignificant. Plus, the new themes will be completely GPL licensed.
Everything else I’ve been doing has been centered on the GPL, and it’s time to cut a few themes loose.
I also want to point out that the WordPress Weekly episode didn’t make this decision for me. It just made me want to go ahead and get the word out. I can’t say that I wasn’t moved by how much Matt believes in the GPL though. He and I share a lot of the same thoughts about building a community around open source. If you listen to him speak, it’s hard not to understand why he believes in the power of open source.
I suspect many other theme authors agree with him as well.
Justin, I have to agree with you on this one. I always loathed the stance that many theme authors took with selling themes under a 1 license, unlimited licenses, credit removal fee method.
True, I do have a proprietary theme that I sell myself – but it comes with an unrestricted license i.e. one price, use wherever and how much ever you like. Though it is not GPL.
All my other free themes are pretty much open to any kind of use, I do ask for donations. That hasn’t paid any bills though
I have a feeling I’m going to be changing a lot things in my business model in 2009.
Hyder
The multiple licenses have always been one of my problems with themes. While I think theme authors should be able to do as they wish with their own work, it just gets confusing to a lot of users.
I also think that theme authors who want to make non GPL themes should be encouraging the use of, and contributing towards, the growth of Habari.
Of course you do. One of these days, I’m going to actually check out Habari if you keep talking about it. That’ll be after I master WordPress, bbPress, and BuddyPress though.
Wow, you are a brave man!
I’m sure a lot of people will miss those great themes, an probably they will make you note it.
But you seem very confident about your new creations, so go ahead!
I always hated the “credits on footer” removal fee. I personally prefer to pay for support than the actual theme. That is kind of a good way. Yes I can get support for free in the WP.org forums but it is always better to get help from the theme author him/herself.
GPL is the way to go, at the end if someone wants a theme or a plugin, they will get it. We can all download movies/songs/etc…..but at the end a real fan will go buy the cd/dvd.
Guillermo
I don’t really think those themes are that great — too tough to maintain, especially considering the advancements I’ve made recently with my Hybrid theme.
I’m sure some people will miss them though, but it’s time for new themes and ideas.
Miroslav Glavic
I had originally used a credit removal fee type system not for money but to keep backlinks. I’ve since learned that fewer good backlinks are much better than many backlinks from sites with no ranking.
Over the last few months, I’ve found out that I actually like doing support because users can come in with some crazy questions sometimes, but those questions help advance my work.
I totally support your stance and thoughts on GPL and Wordpress themes.
One month ago I would have been concerned that you were going to discontinue the Options, Structure and Visionary themes, but having worked with Hybrid during that time I think that a flexible and powerful core theme like Hybrid coupled with various child themes is the way to go.
And given that Hybrid can handle 3 and 4 column styles then I feel confident that I could just about replicate anything in these 3 themes using Hybrid and a child theme.
I’m glad to have your support, John.
One month ago, I wouldn’t have dared make this announcement. I knew I needed to finish Hybrid and get a couple of decent child themes out for it first. I do plan on integrating some of the more popular features from those themes into new child themes though, or at least writing tutorials on how to accomplish these things.
Looking forward to see what you come up with next.
Thanks, Matt. It was great that you took the time out to do the interview and answer everyone’s questions.
I have a few interesting ideas that I’m ready to get to work on. But first, I’m going to enjoy the holidays.
Justin,
I recently switched from creating hand coded standards compliant and accessible Web sites to creating standards compliant and accessible WordPress applications.
I’m dedicated to standards compliance and accessibility in the same way you are dedicated to GPL.
I spent a lot of time over the last few months looking at hundreds of themes and checking validation on hundreds of WordPress sites that I found and liked. Very, very few were standards compliant and accessible. I stopped looking when I recently stumbled upon your site and immediately signed up with you for the $25. I also have no problem leaving your tag on the themes, you deserve the credit.
I’m disappointed that you will be taking the 3 themes down but I’m sure you will soon have themes that are equal or better.
It is always pleasure to do business with a person who respects and abides by their principles.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you, Richard. My reasons for discontinuing the themes actually go beyond just the GPL, but the GPL is the main reason.
I created the original versions of Structure and Visionary in 2007 and Options in early 2008. What I’ve learned between then and now has greatly changed my views on standards compliance, accessibility, and usability. Those three themes, while exceptional in some respects, are just not up to par with the stuff I’m working on now.
So, part of it is about getting a fresh start and cutting the cord on the stuff that I’ve done before. If the GPL didn’t play an issue here, recoding the themes would put many users in a position where they’d have to put a lot of work into getting they’re customizations to play nicely with new versions.
My goal has always been to make functional themes that are standards compliant.
Thanks for signing up for the theme club. I do have fresh themes on the way that I’ll be deploying in 2009.
I am looking forward to seeing how this really plays out.
As an example, Fam Fam Fam is licensed under Creative Commons 2.5
Those icons play a huge role in many themes, and I don’t know of any exceptional quality alternatives.
@Andy: presumably the fanboys will claim that the use of the icons in any GPL theme means that they have ‘caught’ the GPL and are therefore no longer CC.
I know the idea of relicensing other people’s content for them is nuts, but it’s basically the same as arguing that any html template automatically becomes GPL when converted to a WP theme, and I’ve seen a lot of people take that position.
Its not a bad move .. you will need to be brave, to take the road less traveled
good luck bro 
Justin,
Might I ask how you will protect your clientele through such consumer protections as warranties and refunds for your creative works when using the GPL as a contract licence between yourself and your clientele, if you plan to keep your template subscriptions running?
The GPLv3 expressly states that if you offer such consumer protections you should not utilise the GPL as a contract licence for your creative work. The GPL v2 has varying stages of acceptance and denial around the globe when it comes into contact with consumer protection laws.
Andy Beard — I’ve personally shied away from using the FamFamFam icons. I’d really like to see some GPL-compatible alternatives though.
that girl again — There’s not really much reason to try and stir up any trouble here with useless arguments.
dinu — I always try to take the road less traveled. What would be the point in doing otherwise?
Lawrence Meckan — I don’t offer warranties and refunds on digital goods. The GPL is rather useless when I do sell digital goods though, at least for me. My clients ask for a design. I give it to them. At that point, they can do whatever they want with it.
I’m not at all sure what you’re talking about with “template subscriptions.”
Good news Justin. I think its gonna take some time for small time designers like me to get used to business model surrounding the GPL model.
regards
ThinkJayant (TJ)
Justin,
I saw your Twitter on this and wanted to stop in to ThemeHybrid to see what was going on. Good for you! I became a member because I supported your vision. I could see that you put a good deal of time and thought into how you delivered and supported your themes. You themes were one of the first I encountered that offered options for individual pages (index, page, search, archive) and the amount of documentation was above and beyond most other theme designers who were focused on “things looking pretty”.
I respect the how you have helped people in the forums too.
Yesterday on my lifestream, I named two Wordpress designers I liked and you were one of them (the other was Brian Gardner and his Revolution themes).
Keep up the vision and please allow me to say thank you!
TJ — I actually think building businesses around and supporting the GPL is more beneficial. Just think of the backing from the community you get if going down the GPL route. When everything is closed source, you lose a lot of support from the community.
Adria — To be honest, I’m not a great designer, so I can’t put too much focus on making things that look pretty.
Thank you for your support.
WordPress is really awesome it can be father of blog in future…