User Comments

1. 

   3/23/08

   BlogEntrepreneur

   If its downloaded with the author's permission then yes....if it's some schmo gaming the system then no it's not legal.
   
   I have no idea about blogger. If you have that kind of skill to be able to convert it then why not just write your own to begin with?

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2. 

   3/24/08

   xtremer

   It isn't that difficult to convert those themes to Blogger.......but if those themes are converted , including the magazine themes you mentioned in your thread, can they be sold or they are to be ised freely?

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3. 

   9/12/09

   eatfoodrecipe

   AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THE LINK from the author, THEN IT'S LEGAL...check me out!

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   1. 

      9/12/09

      MadameX

      Where on earth did you get that idea?
   2. 

      9/12/09

      legbamel

      Self-serving situational ethics?
   3. 

      9/12/09

      timethief

      @eatafoodrecipe
      Sadly, the ignorance and misinformation about copyright and fair use has escalated as the numbers of content thieves and e-beggars has dramatically increased and myths pervade the blogsphere.
      
      Bloggers are expected to be able to read and to sort facts from fiction, so if you are a newcomer becoming familiar with copyright law is part of the territory. Please get with the program and save yourself a lot of grief.
      
      References:
      10 Big Myths about copyright explained
      www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
      Copyright Basics (from the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress) PDF
      www.copyright.gov/
      The Limitations of Fair Use
      www.blogherald.com/2008/02/18/the-limitations-of-fair-use/
      Plagiarism versus copyright infringement
      mediax0.wordpress.com/2007/02/20/plagarism-versus-copyright-infringement/
      Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (PDF – 330KB)
      www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf
   4. 

      9/12/09

      eatfoodrecipe

      Thanks timethief. What I am trying to say is that most free themes have links from the author on footer or etc. Give them credit.
4. 

   9/12/09

   timethief

   Are you aware of what GPL (general public licensing) is? Is it GPL themes that you are referring to? Contrary to popular belief, GPL doesn't say that everything must be zero-cost, it just means that when you receive the software or theme that it does not restrict your freedoms in how you use it.
   
   The Software Freedom Law Center are the world’s preeminent experts on the GPL. Here's their link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_Freedom_Law_Center
   Re: wordpress see also wordpress.org/development/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/

   [reply]
5. 

   9/12/09

   eatfoodrecipe

   Something like this.
   Usage Agreement
   This theme is free to download and use on as many sites as you would like. That being said we would sincerely appreciate it if you leave the credit link in the footer. We think this is a reasonable request and a small price to pay for giving you this premium WordPress theme absolutely free! Thank you and enjoy the theme.
   
   This is what i am referring to.

   [reply]
   1. 

      9/12/09

      timethief

      I leave the credit link intact in any wordpress theme I use. I refuse to use a theme that also has any additional "sponsored links" in the footer. A sponsored link is one where a Sponsor pays the WordPress theme designer to include a link to the Sponsors site in the Theme, generally in the footer.
      
      I have a friend who checks out each and every theme I like, prior to me deciding whether or not to use it, to be sure there are no "hidden links" anywhere in the theme. Hidden links are a spam technique in which hypertext links are written to be seen by spiders hut not by human visitors.
      www.mattcutts.com/blog/hidden-links/
      
      Two things annoy me. Many bloggers remove the designer's credit link and many bloggers use themes with sponsor links and hidden links. I never click into their blogs more than once.
6. 

   9/12/09

   eatfoodrecipe

   that is exactly what I am trying to say. It really depends on the creator of theme. Hmmm but of most them leaves a credit link in the footer, and well just have to keep it as it is. Hope this clears my stand.^^

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   1. 

      9/12/09

      timethief

      Understood. We appear to be on the same page.
   2. 

      9/12/09

      eatfoodrecipe

      Thanks for the time timethief. There are lots of hidden links this time around. When you just try to highlight a word, a window suddenly pops out, and even worse is that it is a porn site.
      
      @gotta go to bed now its 2.02AM here. Still have work tomorrow around 8AM..huhu!
7. 

   9/12/09

   PetLvr

   The better "premium themes" are actually free, and you are more likely to be buying support and upgrades. I think this is the best way to go - and, I myself have been using a few premium themes lately.
   
   I do not support themes that have "sponsors who supported them" links and feel that is a crock, rip-off and a shame that designers have to go to that level.
   
   PS: I always keep the true designer's link in the footer of my themes, plus anybody if any where I might have obtained graphics etc for my header.

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   1. 

      9/12/09

      timethief

      I agree with you and I have used premium themes from time to time and will be glad to do so again as they are supported and upgraded by their designers.
      
      I'm a member of a premium theme club. I have been appalled to witness other bloggers, who have NOT paid for membership, ripping off the themes and then passing them off as their own creations. I did not hesitate when it came to reporting the rip off artists to the original designer.
   2. 

      9/12/09

      eatfoodrecipe

      I'm with you mate.