Envato GPL Licensing Survey Results

Envato has announced a subset report of the GPL licensing survey that they created a little while back to help discover whether or not the authors within their marketplace were interested in the licensing structure changes that may be made available to them in light of current events and discussions (see here, here, and here).

Last month there was some online discussion around full GPL licensing and the Envato Marketplaces. It started when one of our TF authors was barred from supporting, speaking at and volunteering at WordCamps because he was selling on ThemeForest.

While ThemeForest themes sell with a GPL compliant license, WordCamp guidelines require the item to be completely licensed under the GPL in order for the seller to be allowed to participate in the ways listed above.

Again, these aren’t the full results but rather the ones specifically related to the GPL issues that have been brought up. The other results were of use internally for the Envato team as we’ve been told.

Below are the results via their slide deck:

Surprised by what you see? Where do you think Envato and the rest of the global marketplace will respond with these results?

This is a positive move forward for all parties involved and I’m so thankful for a community that is willing to tackle the tough questions around what we do and answer the call towards transparency and greater community relations.

Now, what will you do with the results? What does this change for you?

And, of course, I’m glad to see that Jake feels welcome back to WordCamps!