Is there anything Illegal about Stealing a Theme ???

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

most pirated themes are with back-doors to your site or backlinks, as per legality, you're stealing someone work how to not be illegal?

There is no way for someone to discover if you are using bought or downloaded theme, as long as you check it out from malware etc. Illegal, yes, stealing is illegal

Lol - The word "stealing" is in the title. Of course it's illegal. The chance of you getting caught is probably slim though.

One first place, why do you wanna steal a theme?

Developers and designers work hard and that's how they make for their living, you use those themes to get your website up and running to make money for yourself so why don't you steal?

You should support them and buy those themes instead of using a cracked version.

No, that's fine. Everything you can steal is legal. Stealing is legal itself you know.

iPinner said:

No, that's fine. Everything you can steal is legal. Stealing is legal itself you know.

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I read that too on the internet somewhere so it must really be true! Oh, and Facebook is closing down as well!

In fairness OP for the sake of $ 30.00 or so, you will be saving yourself a whole heap of hassle buying purchasing a legit theme. As mentioned above, cracked themes usually come stuffed full of malware - it's really not worth the headache.

My advice, if you can't afford a premium theme now why not use a free one until your site is earning and THEN buy the premium theme once you've got the $

sam1122 said:

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

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I have a different take on this. If a theme is already ripped/available for free, then by all means use it. However make sure that you check out all the files for any harmful scripts. I also go a step further to customize the theme so that at a first glance it looks different from the original theme and keeps you below the radar.

If the theme is helping your website make money, then you can pay the dev his due (if you feel like)

Problem with some if not all themes is that you are supposed to pay and then use.

As a noob long time ago I used to follow this, only to end up noticing some issues with my (existing) website structure/some plugins not being compatible with the purchased theme. You can forget asking for a refund because most devs will not refund (and for logical reasons).

To summarize:

Use a theme if it is already ripped.
Install it and see if it doesn't cause any issues and fits well with your site
If it works fine and if you feel compelled to pay the dev his due, then purchase it.

I just pay for a subscription to a site that allows unlimited use of themes. There's a lot to like about it,
A) They support their themes, any dumb questions or css fixes I can get in their forum easily
B) Their themes are easy to edit in the backend, any color combinations or changes are pretty simple
C) The themes even come with the engine so a clean install with the theme takes like 20 minutes
D) Access to plugins, even plugins for backend stuff, in fact the first thing I always install is a backend theme that makes my life 10x easier
F) Upates and fixes

I'd rather just pay and be supported, then be sketch about it

Real black hatters will try any available theme free or not, just go and find the theme that is right for you then f=if you are happy and it worked for you. Just pay the developers for the license, at least that's the way I have seen some of the top black hat IM'ers do it. That is our simple way to acknowledge someones great work, in the other hand why pay for product you never tried or maybe just sucks unless you try it? Anyway, there are dozens of ways to explain why using freely available information online is not necessarily stealing, this because stealing implies taking something away and stopping the other person to access their files, etc. but what you are using is a "copy"of their files, tools, etc.
So they did not completely lose their theme in this case but you are using a copy that was already available not for you only but hundreds if not thousand of other people worldwide. of course judges would never understand not even this basic principle of the virtual world, so better safe than sorry it's been said.

Also most theme developers know that their works will be and are being leaked everywhere, in fact some of them kind of want that, have you heard the phrase; "there is not bad publicity?" Developers also know that chasing or pursuing every infringement case is just a waste of time specially if you do not reside in the same country the developers based their firm etc. would you sue a guy in Singapore because he used your wp-theme on his personal blog.?? Mmm I guess no.

Truth is that your conscience will show you the way.

irate:

period.

Stealing is stealing

Stealing for testing is trying.......if it works and you like it and figure you will use it for a few more sites then buy it. Whats the platform ?

seoguy81 said:

I have a different take on this. If a theme is already ripped/available for free, then by all means use it.

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So it's ok to steal a car as long as you're sure it's stolen already and change the color afterwards?

sam1122 said:

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

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Use Artisteer.

mrsix said:

So it's ok to steal a car as long as you're sure it's stolen already and change the color afterwards?

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I think a better example would be, is it ok to steal a car because it has all ready been stolen?

mrsix said:

So it's ok to steal a car as long as you're sure it's stolen already and change the color afterwards?

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But its ok to get your hands on ripped off WSO's yea?


P.S: Thread's going off course from the OP.
P.P.S: If ripped off themes are a concern, please write to Diamond and ask for the Downloads section to be closed. I'll then listen to you and everyone else here preach!

It's no more illegal than stealing a car

I think you answered your own question . . .

Dont steal the theme, Cracked/Nulled themes can have viruses or can get your site hacked, support the developer becuase they deserve it for there hard work, Goodluck!

You would be forgiven for thinking this is DP from reading the title ..:stupido3:

ugjunk said:

One first place, why do you wanna steal a theme?

Developers and designers work hard and that's how they make for their living, you use those themes to get your website up and running to make money for yourself so why don't you steal?

You should support them and buy those themes instead of using a cracked version.

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This post is absolutely right because the idea of stealing a theme speaks something about ethics and it isn't good. Theme designers do put a lot of time, effort, and resources into making top-notch work. They need to be compensated and supported just like anyone else who creates something for sale. Site owners who do not want to pay for a theme can pick from a huge selection of free ones out there. These also do not carry the risk of getting spyware or other malware from downloading a cracked version that should be paid for in the first place.