Quick Question about Wordpress Theme Re-Design

I.M.Retired · 08-16-2009, 09:10 AM

I have found a wordpress theme that functions exactly as I want it to for a new project I have in mind. However, the graphics and overall design is really ugly. I have not seen another theme that offers this particular functionality that I want for my new site.

My question is: Can one designer take another designer's theme, work with it, update it and release it as a new theme? Or is this frowned upon?

IdeaLady · 08-16-2009, 09:27 AM

When you say "release it as a new theme," do mean you intend to sell or distribute the theme, or just use it yourself?

Read the license (sometimes found in the theme's Read Me file). They will say what you may and may not do with the theme. For example, they might say to leave the credit link in place. Or that you can not resell the theme.

In general, you can hack/rework a WP theme and use it yourself. Reselling takes you into another arena.

gyar29 · 08-16-2009, 09:43 AM

Val,

Maybe. The answer to that question depends on the theme. In most cases, theme designers know that their theme will be customized to each site the theme is used on. No one theme is going to be good out of the box for each site that uses it.

If you are talking about taking an existing theme, customizing it, then distributing it as an originally designed theme then probably not.

As in most things there are no absolutes in regard to this issue. It just depends. It depends on what rights are conveyed to you when you obtain the theme. It depends on how you intend to use the theme.

With all that said, if you intend to customize an existing theme to use on your specific site then you are probably not going to have any problem. Just make sure that whomever you use to customize the theme is a reputable designer. You don't want them to take a theme you've obtained and do something nefarious with it after they've completed your project. Remember the rights you have in regard to the theme were conveyed to you not them. Unless it is an open source theme. In that case, the designer could have gotten it the same way you did.

Good Luck,
Gene

I.M.Retired · 08-16-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the responses!

I want to use this theme for myself, and not redistribute it or sell it.

If you want to see the theme in question, or are a designer who can redesign the graphics for this theme, send me a PM and I'll send you the link to where I got the theme.

Val

p.s. I'm in and out today so won't be online probably until later this evening.

08-16-2009, 09:10 AM	#1
I.M.Retired Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,223 Thanks: 770 Thanked 262 Times in 158 Posts	Quick Question about Wordpress Theme Re-Design I have found a wordpress theme that functions exactly as I want it to for a new project I have in mind. However, the graphics and overall design is really ugly. I have not seen another theme that offers this particular functionality that I want for my new site. My question is: Can one designer take another designer's theme, work with it, update it and release it as a new theme? Or is this frowned upon?

08-16-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
IdeaLady HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 195 Thanks: 22 Thanked 80 Times in 58 Posts Social Networking	Re: Quick Question about Wordpress Theme Re-Design When you say "release it as a new theme," do mean you intend to sell or distribute the theme, or just use it yourself? Read the license (sometimes found in the theme's Read Me file). They will say what you may and may not do with the theme. For example, they might say to leave the credit link in place. Or that you can not resell the theme. In general, you can hack/rework a WP theme and use it yourself. Reselling takes you into another arena.
	Cathy Stucker, http://www.IdeaLady.com/ Get Content, Get Links - Free! http://BloggerLinkUp.com

08-16-2009, 09:43 AM	#3
gyar29 Gene Yarbrough War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 558 Thanks: 32 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts Contact Info	Re: Quick Question about Wordpress Theme Re-Design Val, Maybe. The answer to that question depends on the theme. In most cases, theme designers know that their theme will be customized to each site the theme is used on. No one theme is going to be good out of the box for each site that uses it. If you are talking about taking an existing theme, customizing it, then distributing it as an originally designed theme then probably not. As in most things there are no absolutes in regard to this issue. It just depends. It depends on what rights are conveyed to you when you obtain the theme. It depends on how you intend to use the theme. With all that said, if you intend to customize an existing theme to use on your specific site then you are probably not going to have any problem. Just make sure that whomever you use to customize the theme is a reputable designer. You don't want them to take a theme you've obtained and do something nefarious with it after they've completed your project. Remember the rights you have in regard to the theme were conveyed to you not them. Unless it is an open source theme. In that case, the designer could have gotten it the same way you did. Good Luck, Gene

08-16-2009, 10:19 AM	#4
I.M.Retired Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,223 Thanks: 770 Thanked 262 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Quick Question about Wordpress Theme Re-Design Thanks for the responses! I want to use this theme for myself, and not redistribute it or sell it. If you want to see the theme in question, or are a designer who can redesign the graphics for this theme, send me a PM and I'll send you the link to where I got the theme. Val p.s. I'm in and out today so won't be online probably until later this evening.