Over the weekend, WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg called out Wix for using some of WordPress’ Open Source, GPL-licensed code in an improper fashion in their new mobile app; and also for ripping off the WordPress brand by calling Wix “WixPress.” Here’s Wix CEO Avishai Abrahami’s response, and here’s why it’s problematic:
Wix should have provided GPL attribution
Matt said Wix should have provided proper attribution to WordPress for the code used in the mobile app. Abrahami does not address this. Yes, Wix has released over 200 Open Source projects on Github, but doing a good thing doesn’t reconcile doing a not-good thing. If the license says they need to provide attribution, they should address that specific issue for this specific piece of software.
GPL means public release of software
Matt states that if a piece of software includes any components from other GPL software, that makes the whole new piece of software GPL and it should therefore be made public if distributed (which the mobile app was). This is indeed the case, and it is not addressed in Abrahami’s response. Releasing partial components on Github is not enough.
Wix
Source: https://managewp.org/articles/13725/why-wix-s-response-to-wordpress-re-gpl-license-is-weak
source https://williechiu40.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/why-wixs-response-to-wordpress-re-gpl-license-is-weak/
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