The GPL has been a hot button issue for some time. It’s interesting, for sure, but can be a bit tough to follow. It can be especially difficult to catch up on.
Toward the purpose of maintaining a definitive source for tracking back all notable GPL discussions, we at WPCandy have taken the time to assemble the following GPL timeline.
When/if a link was in question of inclusion, we err’d on the side of what was most interesting to read. There is plenty of incorrect information in these links. They are blogs, it would be impossible to find posts and comments that were all correct information. But the hope is that by reading through these (or by referring someone interested over to it) one could catch up on this whole GPL thing.
We assume we’ve missed some notable conversations and events, somewhere. What should be included that isn’t? Leave us links in the comments!
- January 1989
- Richard Stallman writes the first version of the GPL.
- June 1991
- Version 2 of the GPL is written.
- May 2003
- WordPress is released for the first time, under the GPL.
- April 10, 2007
- WPDesigner switches from Creative Commons to GPL.
- July, 2007
- Weblog Tools Collection takes a stand against sponsored themes.
- September 15, 2007
- Mark Jaquith comments on Movable Type going GPL.
- November 1, 2007
- The WordPress.com marketplace idea is discussed.
- July 18, 2008
- The new WordPress themes directory is opened.
- September 8, 2008
- Ian Stewart comments on the ethics of premium themes.
- October 2008
- Brian Gardner’s Revolution theme goes GPL
- December 2008
- WordPress.org removes hundreds of themes from the WordPress theme directory.
- http://www.blogherald.com/2008/12/12/200-themes-removed-from-wordpressorg-matt-explains-why/
- http://justintadlock.com/archives/2008/12/11/automattic-putting-the-boot-to-premium-theme-developers
- http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2008/12/19/2hr-interview-with-matt-mullenweg/
- http://www.alistercameron.com/2008/12/14/matt-mullenweg-wordpress-gpl/
- http://spectacu.la/wordpressorg-pull-200-gpl-themes/
- http://www.inquisitr.com/11963/more-hypocrisy-from-mullenweg-and-wordpress-with-new-themes-jihad/
- April 2009
- Spectacu.la goes GPL.
- June 4, 2009
- A WordCamp attendant’s comment thread is used to discuss the GPL.
- June 11, 2009
- iThemes goes GPL.
- June 17, 2009
- WooThemes goes GPL.
- July 1, 2009
- The GPL commercial theme page is added to the repository.
- July 2, 2009
- The Software Freedom Law Foundation rules themes are GPL.
- October 2, 2009
- PremiumThemes.net goes GPL.
- October 9, 2009
- Q&A with Matt Mullenweg on the GPL.
- July, 2010
- The Thesis/GPL discussion reaches a peak.
Thesis goes split GPL.- http://mixergy.com/chris-pearson-matt-mullenweg/
- http://ma.tt/2010/07/syn-thesis-1/
- http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2010/07/22/wordpress-vs-thesis-the-battle-is-over/
- http://apeatling.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/thesis-and-the-gpl/
- http://digwp.com/2010/07/gpl-showdown/
- http://www.wptavern.com/thesis-goes-split-licensed-hell-freezes-over
- http://markjaquith.wordpress.com/2010/07/17/why-wordpress-themes-are-derivative-of-wordpress/
- April 30, 2012
- GPLv3 and compatible plugins can be listed on WordPress.org/extend
For the December 2008 portion of the time line, I believe it would be more accurate to state Matt Mullenweg removes hundreds of themes or at the very least, WordPress.org removes hundreds of themes.
Good call. Fixed.
Very interesting timeline (a bit too “themes” inclined, maybe. There have been a few plugin detabe also (which I don’t remember, because I flee away in boredom every time I read something about licenses))
(bleh. Where detabe means debate, obviously)
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