Is there anything Illegal about Stealing a Theme ???

[seoguy81]

It's no more illegal than stealing a car

I think you answered your own question . . .

This comes from a mod of a forum that has a "Member download section" and "Templates & Themes section" that is filled to the neck with ripped/shared wp themes + softwares + WSO's.

Would you care to elaborate on this Wiz?

 

[bisk188]

Well without asking the author's permission, it is illegal.. Whether or not you get caught or if anyone actually pursues it doesn't change the legality of something.

 

[seoguy81]

Well without asking the author's permission, it is illegal.. Whether or not you get caught or if anyone actually pursues it doesn't change the legality of something.

Exactly. Illegal, Yes!
Will it get you caught.. maybe.
Can you use a ripped theme? If its already shared.. yes.
Have you used a ripped theme/WSO: If you have then probably you're not the right person to dictate what's legal/illegal.

Let the OP/Person who wants to use it decide for themselves.

 

[SaraJ]

It depends on what platform the theme comes from.

I understand that some people will debate with me about the viewpoint I have but I do have a reasonable argument.

If it's a wordpress theme for example, the contents of the theme are a derived work from wordpress itself with is under the GPL.

http://wordpress.org/news/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/

Based on the idea of the theme being a derivative work of wordpress, the theme is automatically GPL whether the author says so or not. Many premium themes for sale have been challenged on this and had to make their themes open source as they should be.

The images on the other hand aren't a derivative work and won't fall under GPL.

From a practical standpoint - screw authors who want to make their themes closed and copyright them and take people to court for using them. Don't use their themes. Support authors who make great themes under open licences.

 

[OriginalEXE]

Both images and css/javascript. And without that, you have nothing

 

[WizGizmo]

This comes from a mod of a forum that has a "http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/f29-member-downloads/n" and "http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/f111-templates-themes/" that is filled to the neck with ripped/shared wp themes + softwares + WSO's.

Would you care to elaborate on this Wiz?

Sure . . . No moral double standards here. The OP asked if it was technically illegal
and I said "YES". I never said that it was bad or morally wrong. Everyone has their
own moral boundaries. Even I do. For instance, I will never try to bank on someone's
personal tragedy (ie. Michael Jackson's death) or a country's national tragedy (ie.
the earthquake in Japan), etc.

In regards to sharing Internet Marketing Products, I have no qualms about it unless it
comes down to someone on BHW sharing one of our own member's products. I am loyal
to this forum and have chosen to take on the responsibility of protecting our members
and their products. That's my job, and I consider it to be both an honor and a privilege.

Hope that clears it up for you

Cheers! - "Wiz"

 

[paymymortgage4me]

I'm pretty sure the OP knows it's illegal, maybe he was hoping everyone would all tell him it's still ok to do...

I noticed the only post the OP thanked was the one telling him it's ok to use a stolen theme...

 

[qqbot]

look through the code for the pages of your theme and check for stuff that looks fishy, ESPECIALLY check for something like this inside php tags.

eval(gzinflate(base64_decode('80jNyclXyFTPVUhJTc5PSU0BAA==')));

the string of gibberish is much longer in most cases, it decodes into regular code and there is really no reason to use it in a wp theme unless you are trying to hide something from newbs.

you definately cannot trust pirated themes if you cannot trust the source, best to stick to BHW and large reputable sites when looking for free themes.

 

[umerjutt00]

Feel free to use a pirated theme. Who knows whether you are using a pirated or a paid theme.

 

[axus_auto]

Yes , Im noob and I'm worried about stealing a theme and using it on a couple of my website.

Is there anything Illegal about it ? Can anyone know that your using a pirated theme ?

Thank You

Over here it is not

 

[Redwing]

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you......stealing is a fucking sin.

 

[KamBhai]

OK, you can do 1 thing if you feel regret.
You can use the theme for now and make some money, after you made enough money, just pay for the theme.
That's it
I do it too, first I test the theme then if I like it and make some money then I purchase it

 

[bertbaby]

Try it and if you like then just buy the damn thing.

 

[WizGizmo]

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you......stealing is a fucking sin.

And those are YOUR religious and moral standards, which I honor
and respect. You are entitled to your own beliefs and opinions.

Now let's drop the "religious" aspect here. As most of you know,
we do not allow religious or political discussion on our forum since
we have learned from experience that those two topics inevitably
lead to "flame wars". BHW is a professional internet marketing
forum, and was never intended to be used as a platform for
religious or political discussion. There are plenty of forums
outside of BHW where you can express those views to your
heart's content.

Thank You - "Wiz"

 

[qqbot]

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you......stealing is a fucking sin.

stop being so dramatic.

OK, you can do 1 thing if you feel regret.
You can use the theme for now and make some money, after you made enough money, just pay for the theme.
That's it
I do it too, first I test the theme then if I like it and make some money then I purchase it

This is pretty much where I am at as far as buying digital products over the internet. There is just so much stuff being sold on the web that is total shit you can't really trust anyone. If someone has a problem with me trying before I buy then they are probably selling garbage in the first place.

 

[robertodelgato]

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you......stealing is a fucking sin.

Uh, you know you're on a blackhat internet forum, right?

And saying 'fucking' is considered a sin in most churches I've ever been in. (OK, a minor one, but still...)

 

[SahL]

Try as many theme's as you want, from blackhatworld and other sites , once you finalise one.

or once you're making money , why not buy it? you will get the updates too.

 

[Simon0mant]

What if it were "borrowed" ... ?

 

[sam1122]

Im using a Ripped theme , Im hoping its virus-free.

I'll buy it later.


To all the people that think I have to pay for it , Do you think downloading a leaked E-Book is not the thing to do ?

If people actually BUY the E-books the authors will be richer then those who publish an actual book.

 

[orzyman]

stealing is stealing