10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is it ok to extract a header image from a free wordpress theme

by bethsuzi
8 replies
Hi,

Does anyone know if it is ok to extract a header image from a free wordpress theme then crop it and resize it to use as a header on another wordpress theme that I purchased? I tried to find out the terms and conditions but it was a bit of a grey area from what I could see.

This is where I looked: WordPress › About » License which then pointed me to Licensing FAQ | drupal.org but couldnt find anything on copyright for parts of the themes e.g images.

Thanks in advance,

Beth
#extract #free #header #image #theme #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Can you contact the creator to ask their permission perhaps - just to be safe. I did that once when I wanted to use an image in the header of a free theme, I contacted the creators and asked them if I could do that and they said yes.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4319741].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author bethsuzi
      Originally Posted by Sheryl Polomka View Post

      Can you contact the creator to ask their permission perhaps - just to be safe. I did that once when I wanted to use an image in the header of a free theme, I contacted the creators and asked them if I could do that and they said yes.
      Thanks Sheryl, I'll go and do that now.

      Beth
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4319764].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    If you can't get permission it's not ok. Even if the theme designer gives you permission, you'd better also find out if the designer owns the copyright. They may not have the legal authority to give you permission. Not everyone who designs themes understands or cares about copyright issues.

    It won't hurt to ask though. Theme designers create free themes to give away for the backlinks, so he/she may ask for nothing more from you than a backlink.
    Signature

    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4319830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    Wordpress themes are licensed under the GNU license. So if you own the theme, by downloading it if free, then you own it and can distribute it or what ever you want, as long as you keep the GNU license attached.

    I am not a lawyer, and that was not legal advice. I may have interpreted the GNU license incorrectly so I suggest that you read it for yourself. But the Worpress software is distributed under the GNU license, and so everything attached to it has to have that same license as I understand it.

    So my best guess is that you can pull the header graphic out and use it.
    Signature

    Tim Pears

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4319877].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by timpears View Post

      Wordpress themes are licensed under the GNU license. So if you own the theme, by downloading it if free, then you own it and can distribute it or what ever you want, as long as you keep the GNU license attached.
      Actually, the GNU never says you "own" it. You can, definitely, use it.
      (I am not a lawyer either)

      However, with the graphic part of the themes we arrive in a different area.
      While the code is under the GNU, a photo or image under the copyright of the author cannot and is not fall under GNU.
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4320873].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author grangonzo
    But why would you want to use an image that is being used by lots of people?
    isn't better to make your own exclusive image?
    Signature
    Lawyers News
    Free Advertising
    Tecnologia
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4319982].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sapan Verma
    I would not do it unless I've got written permission from the theme developer. A number of these photos used on the free themes can be public domain, so the developer will let you know. If you don't hear from them, browse through stock photos and find one you like.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4320473].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author christopher jon
    If you can't get permission it's not ok. Even if the theme designer gives you permission, you'd better also find out if the designer owns the copyright. They may not have the legal authority to give you permission. Not everyone who designs themes understands or cares about copyright issues.
    And we have a winner.

    Just save yourself a lot of time and effort and purchase a suitable image from a stock image site. A couple of bucks spent now means no headaches later.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4320676].message }}

Trending Topics