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Should I Encrypt a WP Plug-in for Sale?

by NickL
9 replies
I have been working night and day for months on a WordPress plug-in that I want to sell via a WSO and then via ClickBank. What are your thought on encryption of the php source files as a means of preventing someone from taking my code and making "their own" plugin for sale?

What I mean is this: if you bought a really useful WP plug-in, would you be upset to find the source code encrypted?

I am also considering doing so on the "application files" of a theme framework - while leaving room for people to still modify the theme, styles and functions. So the same question applies to the theme...

I appreciate your opinions.
#encrypt #plugin #sale
  • Profile picture of the author Jute
    Hi Nick,

    first off I would have to say no, I would not be upset....

    But, since I don't know what the plugin does and if it is optimized...

    An example is the free plugin called "sexybookmarkings" that is pretty optimized when it comes to css but not so much when it comes to php and the images that it "creates".

    Just my 2 cents

    Cheers

    Jute
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  • Profile picture of the author NickL
    Thanks, Jute... any other opinions?
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    Have an Excellent Day!

    ~ Nick

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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Fullman
    Originally Posted by NickL View Post

    I have been working night and day for months on a WordPress plug-in that I want to sell via a WSO and then via ClickBank. What are your thought on encryption of the php source files as a means of preventing someone from taking my code and making "their own" plugin for sale?

    What I mean is this: if you bought a really useful WP plug-in, would you be upset to find the source code encrypted?

    I am also considering doing so on the "application files" of a theme framework - while leaving room for people to still modify the theme, styles and functions. So the same question applies to the theme...

    I appreciate your opinions.
    Hi Nick,

    Interested to hear how this pans out. I'm considering the same approach...

    Cheers,
    Steve
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    Not promoting right now

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  • Profile picture of the author Intrepreneur
    Hmm encryption would probably annoy the heck out of me if I ever needed to edit it which I'm highly likely to do.. so depending on your market for the plugin i.e. someone who still uses SEO plugins versus someone who codes it themselves lol
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    SEO, copywriting and backlinks service UK
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  • Profile picture of the author createdevelop
    Actually yes I would be upset if I paid for a plug in, but could not alter the content. Not all plug ins fit all situations. In fact a) most of our wordpress developments need complete customisation, so we are always tinkering with the plugins and themes and b) the whole point of using open source systems is that we can pull them apart and reuse parts without upsetting the programmers.

    The reason plugins like sexy bookmarks works is because the plug in is unique and original. Sure there are a few knock offs, but sexy bookmarks works the best because it is original and is always being updated.

    If you have a good idea, and you have good code to back it up, don't be afraid of people copying you. If your code is good, a) no one will bother with trying to steal your code, and b) you will stay ahead of the stealers over the long haul.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Yes, I would be very upset. I like to know what the plugin does and how. (There are enough "encrypted" crappy themes around to make everybody's life a misery...)

    To give you a better answer: WP fanatics will hate you and they will do everything to break your plugin... while IMers won't care because 95% of them are code illiterate

    I am not sure you can do anything like that with the themes, though. They have to be open source - that was the last stance of the WP developers. And they seem to be winning on all fronts... (but please, don't open that debate here again)
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  • Profile picture of the author terrapurus
    Originally Posted by NickL View Post

    What I mean is this: if you bought a really useful WP plug-in, would you be upset to find the source code encrypted?
    Waste of time. Work on your business, not in your business.

    Look at it this way. Regardless of what you do to the source files, it still has be able to read by wordpress, otherwise it does not PLUG IN (hence the name). And if wordpress can read your files, then a capable hacker can read your files.

    Look at this way, the people who are not interested in looking at the source files (ie average users) are not interested in breaking through your encryption. They people who are (content thiefs or someone who wants to put it on bit torrent) will see it nothing more than an inconvenience.

    You can spend some time working in your business and do what you want to do. Or you can work on your business and focus on marketing it.

    I suggest the later.
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    • Profile picture of the author NickL
      Thank you all for your feedback. I am still debating this issue.

      My market is primarily IMers and small businesses that want to easily monetize their websites - or have a great new look for their site.

      It will be interesting to hear client feedback - to which I am very responsive...

      Thanks again for your feedback!
      Signature

      Have an Excellent Day!

      ~ Nick

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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Most programmers encrypt their code, before making it available to the public... Another way to get around that is to slice and dice the code to make it a process that would take weeks to figure out... LOL...

    Either way, Ioncube is probably the best way to encode your php software... Although it is not unbreakable, it is pretty expensive to de-encode and the people who do the de-encoding are a pretty shady bunch...

    Fortunately, you do not have to buy a full-blown version of Ioncube Encoder... You can go to their website and pay a small fee per page you want encoded...

    If I were in your shoes, I would definitely consider doing so...

    But like the OP said, the WordPress community does prefer open source...
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    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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