The GPL and How it Relates to WordPress

Transcript

1. GPL GNU General Public License Free Software License FREE
2. Free as in Speech •Run the software however you would like •See how the software actually works •Redistribute the software however you’d like •Improve the software (not as in beer)
3. Richard Stallman with Julian Assange and Edward Snowden
4. “Computer users should be free to modify programs to fit their needs, and free to share software, because helping other people is the basis of society.” ! Richard Stallman
5. “If the users don't control the program, the program controls the users.” ! Richard Stallman
6. GPLv2
7. You may copy, distribute and modify the software as long as you track changes/dates of in source files and keep all modifications under GPL. You can distribute your application using a GPL library commercially, but you must also disclose the source code.
8. GPLv3
9. You may copy, distribute and modify the software as long as you track changes/dates of in source files and keep modifications under GPL. You can distribute your application using a GPL library commercially, but you must also provide the source code. GPL v3 tries to close some loopholes in GPL v2.
10. Copyleft Copyleft is a general method for making a program (or other work) free, and requiring all modified and extended versions of the program to be free as well.
11. Copyleft Copyleft provides an incentive for other programmers to add to free software.
12. WordPress and the GPL
13. Why We Chose the GPL The reasons for WordPress releasing under the GPL are both practical and idealistic. WordPress was born of the very freedom mentioned earlier. !
14. Commercial and GPL are not mutually exclusive.
15. Commercially Supported GPL Themes Contrary to popular belief, GPL doesn't say that everything must be zero-cost, just that when you receive the software or theme that it not restrict your freedoms in how you use it.
16. …gives you the ability to contribute to WordPress The GPL
17. …influences the general quality of code within the WordPress Ecosystem making all products better. The GPL
18. …forces theme and plugin providers to focus on support of their code as the primary way of building a sustainable business. The GPL
19. The End