PHP & CSS Copyright

Guys, in the end, what is the copyright of CSS and PHP code from the themes we buy here? Can I use some bits of code to develop a new theme? Like some functions, some CSS , etc.

Example: say i wanted to clone a Portfolio, or similar. Can we use some pieces of PHP + CSS code from a theme on sale here to use on our own themes?

What is the rule? Much appreciated.

If you are talking about WordPress themes, you can use some pieces of PHP code, because it’s GPL .

However, you can’t use pieces of css code, made by other authors …

ThemesFever said
If you are talking about WordPress themes, you can use some pieces of PHP code, because it’s GPL . However, you can’t use pieces of css code, made by other authors …

While this is true.,

Most of the time, You have to use the same code to achieve the same effect and there’s nothing we could do about it…(there could be minor changes though)

Thanks guys.

Now I understand why some themes are so look-a-like, especially the PHP functions. Not saying ThemeForest allows copycats, but some themes are IN FACT quite similar, just changing the images/color scheme.

Copyrighting code is like trying to copyright breathing!

Any other perspectives about this subject? Really interested to know what some of the Top coders/designers think about this.

My understanding is that you can’t take code from products sold here and use it in a product you submit here.

It may be legal under the GPL (PHP, perhaps; CSS , probably not), but I think it’s unethical in a marketplace like this to do so without the author’s consent.

Of course, learning from another’s code would be just fine; but when you start to copy and paste that seems wrong to me.

My suggestion is don’t do it. You’ll become a stronger coder and earn more respect from your fellow authors if you code it yourself, even if you’ve learned how to do it by studying the work of others.

Chris

I’ve written each single line of code by myself… and the whole framework is huge. I don’t like to use other people’s code, because:

1: I like to code

2: I like my code

3: I don’t always trust code that I’ve not written myself, also if mine isn’t better

4: I can find the right line of code that is the cause of an issue in a few seconds, because I know line by line everything that gives life to my themes.

5: Other authors can do what they want, I’ve seen many themes that are just a collage of code found here and there… just looking at the code style of each function you can understand that

6: Is unethical to use code of themes on sale here to create other themes to sell here, unless the pieces of code are from common libraries available online.

This is my vision.

I think of code as a fine italian car (which I figure P&K knows something about) – every little detail matters, and even if a normal person wouldn’t see it, you know it’s there, so you should make it perfect. How can you have such attention to detail with copied code?

LandonWilson said
I think of code as a fine italian car (which I figure P&K knows something about) – every little detail matters, and even if a normal person wouldn’t see it, you know it’s there, so you should make it perfect. How can you have such attention to detail with copied code?

I’m italian and I take care of everything… just look at the HTML output of my themes, also the widgets are re formatted to look readable and with the right indentation…

I don’t think in the world there is a WP theme that comes with the same clean output my framework generates.

I know it’s a basically useless thing, but it makes me feel better and if I need to read the HTML of my themes is way easier

Usually I review all my code after months to find an extra space between the lines, or an if statement formatted differently than others… I’m a maniac and I think I’m also obsessive-compulsive about code

I’m proud of myself and my work and I’m happy like this

Parker