8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Wordpress Theme Modification Question

by I.M.Retired
6 replies
How difficult is it to rework and existing theme? I have been using a free theme on one of my sites that I really like. However, it is becoming outdated with some of the new Wordpress releases.

Is it legal, and/or ethical for a theme designer to use and existing theme to create a custom modified theme for a customer?
#modification #question #theme #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479690].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AnthonyWilson
      If you're using a free theme then you should check the license. I am sure the original creator wouldn't mind but would still like a footnote that it's their theme but with your modification...but check.

      I now almost exclusively build my websites using word-press themes. I am a fan of woothemes, they are high quality premium themes.

      What I do is start with one which is generally how I want my site to look then I go into the code and start stripping things out and adding things, but never too much.

      The trick is to start with a theme that is close to what you want - with so many to choose from it shouldn't be too hard.

      This isn't too difficult but will require some knowledege of CSS. And woothemes do have a really good structure so you can identify where you should be poking around.

      It would be intersting to know where your current site is and what kind of changes you want, then someone could give you an idea of how difficult (or hopefully easy) it could be.
      Signature

      -------------------- Video Tutorials with PLR or MRR       --------------------

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479763].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MrMike
    I wouldn't think it is unethical or illegal for you to modify an wp template. I think every Wordpress template is a variation of another theme.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479711].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Would that also apply to hiring a theme designer to create an entirely new, custom theme based on the layout and features of an existing theme so that I could remove the link in the footer while upgrading some of the theme's features at the same time?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479718].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    As BIG Mike said: it would depend on the license of the theme.
    If it is GPL -you can do anything.
    It it has some other type of license... you will have to follow what is in there.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479729].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Oh to have been born a Wordpress theme designer! Sigh. I'm learning, but its a slow go and designing themes is definitely NOT what I do best.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1479798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    When you buy Woo themes, they encourage modifications. Doesn't violate their TOS at all. If you can't find TOS for your theme, they may not care if you modify it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1480395].message }}

Trending Topics