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GPL Explained
Understanding the GNU General Public License and software freedom
GPL Explained
The GPL (GNU General Public License) is the foundation of everything we do. Understanding it helps you understand why GrootMade exists—and why it's completely legal.
What is GPL?
The GNU General Public License is a free software license created by Richard Stallman and the Free Software Foundation. It's one of the most popular open-source licenses in the world.
Key Insight: "Free" in GPL means "freedom," not "free of charge."
"Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of 'free' as in 'free speech,' not as in 'free beer.'" — Richard Stallman
The Four Freedoms
GPL grants users four essential freedoms:
Freedom 0: Use
The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
You can use GPL software on any website, for any project, commercial or personal. No restrictions.
Freedom 1: Study
The freedom to study how the program works and adapt it to your needs.
Access to source code is a prerequisite. You can read, understand, and learn from the code.
Freedom 2: Share
The freedom to redistribute copies to help others.
You can share the software with anyone. This is exactly what GrootMade does.
Freedom 3: Improve
The freedom to improve the program and release improvements to the public.
You can modify the code and share your modifications. Forks are encouraged.
How WP Relates
WP itself is GPL-licensed. This has important implications:
Derivative Works
Any code that extends WP (themes, plugins) is considered a "derivative work" and must also be GPL-licensed.
This is settled law
The WP foundation and legal experts agree: themes and plugins are GPL.
What This Means
Every WP theme and plugin is GPL. Even "premium" ones. The creators can charge for distribution, support, and updates—but the code itself carries GPL freedoms.
GPL vs Commercial
Many people confuse GPL with "free." Let's clarify:
| Aspect | What People Think | What's True |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | GPL = free download | Creators can charge for distribution |
| Rights | Paid = more rights | GPL gives you ALL rights |
| Legal | Sharing is piracy | Sharing is explicitly allowed |
| Support | GPL = no support | Separate from the license |
What You're Paying For
When you buy a "premium" GPL product, you're paying for:
- Convenient access
- Official support
- Automatic updates from the creator
- Contributing to development
What You're Not Paying For
You're not paying for exclusive rights to the code. The code is free (as in freedom) regardless of price.
Common Misconceptions
"GPL plugins can't be redistributed"
False. Redistribution is explicitly allowed by Freedom 2.
"You need permission to share GPL code"
False. The license IS the permission. No additional authorization needed.
"Commercial use requires a license"
False. Freedom 0 allows use for any purpose, including commercial.
"Forking is stealing"
False. Forking is encouraged. It's how open source improves.
GrootMade's Approach
We exercise GPL freedoms with integrity:
What We Do
- Obtain GPL-licensed products
- Fork them (create our own version)
- Rebrand to respect trademarks
- Maintain with community updates
- Distribute to our members
What We Don't Do
- ❌ Claim to be the original creators
- ❌ Use trademarked names/logos
- ❌ Distribute non-GPL code
- ❌ Remove GPL licensing from products
Trademark vs Copyright
| Aspect | Our Approach |
|---|---|
| Code (GPL) | Freely redistributed |
| Trademarks | Removed and replaced |
| Attribution | Always provided |
We respect trademarks while exercising GPL rights. Products are rebranded to avoid confusion with originals.
FAQ
Is this legal?
Yes. We're exercising rights explicitly granted by the GPL license.
Is this ethical?
We believe so. The GPL was created specifically to enable this kind of sharing.
Why do creators use GPL then?
Many reasons: philosophy, community contribution, WP requirement, or because their product extends GPL software.
Does this hurt developers?
We attribute original authors and many members become paying customers of originals for support. We're not replacing direct purchases; we're serving those who couldn't afford them.