Open Source Commitment
LionWP is committed to the WordPress community and open source principles. Our free plugins are released under GPL v2+ licenses, while premium products have additional terms for enhanced features and support.
License Overview
LionWP provides WordPress plugins under different licensing models to serve various user needs. Understanding these licenses helps you use our products correctly and legally.
All our products respect WordPress licensing requirements and open source principles while providing clear terms for commercial and premium features.
Free Plugins GPL v2+
- 100% free to use
- Open source code
- Unlimited websites
- Redistribute freely
- Modify as needed
- Community support
Premium Plugins Dual License
- GPL v2+ core code
- Premium license for extras
- Licensed per website
- Priority support included
- Regular updates
- Commercial use allowed
GNU General Public License (GPL) v2+
What is GPL?
The GNU General Public License version 2 or later (GPL v2+) is a free software license that guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software.
Your Rights Under GPL
When you receive our GPL-licensed plugins, you have the right to:
- Use: Run the plugin for any purpose, commercial or personal
- Study: Examine how the plugin works and adapt it to your needs
- Share: Redistribute copies to help others
- Improve: Modify the plugin and release your improvements
Your Obligations Under GPL
If you redistribute or modify GPL code, you must:
- Keep the original copyright notices
- Include the GPL license text
- Make source code available
- License derivative works under GPL
- Document any changes made
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Free Plugin Licensing
Lion Social Share
Our flagship social sharing plugin is completely free and licensed under GPL v2+:
- Full source code available
- Use on unlimited websites
- Modify and customize freely
- Redistribute to others
- Create derivative works
- No attribution required (but appreciated)
WordPress.org Distribution
Plugins distributed through WordPress.org repository:
- Must be 100% GPL compatible
- Source code is publicly available
- Free download and updates
- Community support forums
- Automated security scanning
Premium Plugin Licensing
Dual Licensing Model
Premium plugins use a dual licensing approach:
- Core Code: GPL v2+ licensed (WordPress requirement)
- Premium Features: Additional license terms apply
- Support & Updates: Subscription-based access
- Documentation: Licensed content with restrictions
Premium License Terms
When you purchase a premium plugin license:
- License is tied to specific websites or user accounts
- Includes 1 year of support and updates
- Renewal required for continued premium benefits
- Commercial use permitted within license scope
- Redistribution of premium features prohibited
License Tiers
Single Site License
- 1 website installation
- 1 year support & updates
- Email support included
- Documentation access
- Commercial use allowed
Developer License
- Up to 10 websites
- 1 year support & updates
- Priority email support
- Beta access included
- Client site usage allowed
Third-Party Components
Open Source Libraries
Our plugins may include third-party open source components:
- Each component retains its original license
- License files included in plugin packages
- Credits provided in documentation
- No license conflicts with WordPress GPL
Common Third-Party Licenses
- MIT License: Very permissive, GPL compatible
- Apache 2.0: Patent protection, GPL compatible
- BSD License: Simple and permissive
- LGPL: Lesser GPL for libraries
License Compliance
Using Our Plugins
To ensure license compliance when using our plugins:
- Read and understand the license terms
- Keep license files with plugin installations
- Respect attribution requirements
- Follow redistribution guidelines
- Document any modifications made
- Ensure derivative works comply with GPL
Distributing Modified Versions
If you modify and redistribute our GPL plugins:
- Include original copyright notices
- Document changes made
- Provide source code access
- Use GPL-compatible license
- Include license text
- Don't misrepresent authorship
Commercial Use
Free Plugins
GPL allows unlimited commercial use:
- Use on client websites
- Include in commercial products
- Charge for installation/customization
- Offer as part of hosting packages
- No royalties or fees required
Premium Plugins
Commercial use terms for premium licenses:
- Must comply with license limits
- Client sites count toward license total
- Developer licenses allow broader use
- Resale prohibited without authorization
- Support only for license holder
License Violations
Common Violations
Actions that violate our license terms:
- Removing copyright notices
- Redistributing premium features without permission
- Exceeding licensed website limits
- Claiming ownership of our code
- Reverse engineering premium features
- Using expired licenses
Enforcement Actions
For license violations, we may:
- Send cease and desist notices
- Terminate license agreements
- Revoke access to updates and support
- Pursue legal remedies
- Report violations to platforms
- Seek damages for commercial violations
License Transfer and Assignment
GPL Rights
GPL rights cannot be revoked or transferred:
- Rights are granted directly by the license
- No need for transfer procedures
- Anyone can use GPL code
- Rights survive company changes
Premium License Transfer
Premium licenses may be transferred:
- Contact support for transfer requests
- Original purchaser must initiate transfer
- Transfer fee may apply
- New owner accepts all license terms
- One transfer per license period
Support and Updates
Free Plugin Support
Support for GPL plugins is provided:
- Community forums
- Documentation
- Bug fix updates
- WordPress.org support
- Best effort basis
- No guarantee of response
Premium Support
Premium license holders receive:
- Priority email support
- Guaranteed response times
- Feature updates
- Bug fixes and patches
- Documentation access
- Installation assistance
Intellectual Property
Trademarks
LionWP trademarks and branding:
- "LionWP" name and logo are trademarked
- Plugin names may be trademarked
- Use for identification purposes allowed
- Commercial use requires permission
- No implied endorsement
Copyright
Copyright ownership and licensing:
- LionWP retains copyright on original code
- Contributors retain rights to their contributions
- GPL grants usage rights, not ownership
- Copyright notices must be preserved
International Licensing
Global Applicability
Our licenses apply worldwide:
- GPL is internationally recognized
- No geographic restrictions
- Local laws may add protections
- Export regulations may apply
- Multiple language translations available
Jurisdictional Issues
Legal jurisdiction and applicable law:
- Finnish law governs license disputes
- GPL terms remain consistent globally
- Local courts may interpret differently
- Arbitration available for commercial disputes
License Compatibility
All LionWP plugins are designed to be compatible with WordPress core licensing requirements and can be safely used with other GPL-licensed themes and plugins.
Future License Changes
Version Updates
License changes for future versions:
- Existing licenses remain valid
- New versions may have updated terms
- GPL "or later" allows version upgrades
- Premium terms may evolve
- Grandfather clauses may apply
Open Source Commitment
Our long-term commitment:
- Free plugins will remain GPL
- Open source principles upheld
- WordPress compatibility maintained
- Community contributions welcomed
- Transparent licensing practices
Additional Resources
GPL Information
- GNU.org - Official GPL documentation
- WordPress.org - WordPress licensing information
- FSF.org - Free Software Foundation resources
- GPL-violations.org - License enforcement
WordPress Specific
- WordPress License page
- Plugin Directory guidelines
- Theme review requirements
- Developer handbook
using our plugins:
- Read and understand the license terms
- Keep license files with plugin installations
- Respect attribution requirements
- Follow redistribution guidelines
- Document any modifications made
- Ensure derivative works comply with GPL
Distributing Modified Versions
If you modify and redistribute our GPL plugins:
- Include original copyright notices
- Document changes made
- Provide source code access
- Use GPL-compatible license
- Include license text
- Don't misrepresent authorship
Commercial Use
Free Plugins
GPL allows unlimited commercial use:
- Use on client websites
- Include in commercial products
- Charge for installation/customization
- Offer as part of hosting packages
- No royalties or fees required
Premium Plugins
Commercial use terms for premium licenses:
- Must comply with license limits
- Client sites count toward license total
- Developer licenses allow broader use
- Resale prohibited without authorization
- Support only for license holder
License Violations
Common Violations
Actions that violate our license terms:
- Removing copyright notices
- Redistributing premium features without permission
- Exceeding licensed website limits
- Claiming ownership of our code
- Reverse engineering premium features
- Using expired licenses
Enforcement Actions
For license violations, we may:
- Send cease and desist notices
- Terminate license agreements
- Revoke access to updates and support
- Pursue legal remedies
- Report violations to platforms
- Seek damages for commercial violations
License Transfer and Assignment
GPL Rights
GPL rights cannot be revoked or transferred:
- Rights are granted directly by the license
- No need for transfer procedures
- Anyone can use GPL code
- Rights survive company changes
Premium License Transfer
Premium licenses may be transferred:
- Contact support for transfer requests
- Original purchaser must initiate transfer
- Transfer fee may apply
- New owner accepts all license terms
- One transfer per license period
Support and Updates
Free Plugin Support
Support for GPL plugins is provided:
- Community forums
- Documentation
- Bug fix updates
- WordPress.org support
- Best effort basis
- No guarantee of response
Premium Support
Premium license holders receive:
- Priority email support
- Guaranteed response times
- Feature updates
- Bug fixes and patches
- Documentation access
- Installation assistance
Intellectual Property
Trademarks
LionWP trademarks and branding:
- "LionWP" name and logo are trademarked
- Plugin names may be trademarked
- Use for identification purposes allowed
- Commercial use requires permission
- No implied endorsement
Copyright
Copyright ownership and licensing:
- LionWP retains copyright on original code
- Contributors retain rights to their contributions
- GPL grants usage rights, not ownership
- Copyright notices must be preserved
International Licensing
Global Applicability
Our licenses apply worldwide:
- GPL is internationally recognized
- No geographic restrictions
- Local laws may add protections
- Export regulations may apply
- Multiple language translations available
Jurisdictional Issues
Legal jurisdiction and applicable law:
- Finnish law governs license disputes
- GPL terms remain consistent globally
- Local courts may interpret differently
- Arbitration available for commercial disputes
License Compatibility
All LionWP plugins are designed to be compatible with WordPress core licensing requirements and can be safely used with other GPL-licensed themes and plugins.
Future License Changes
Version Updates
License changes for future versions:
- Existing licenses remain valid
- New versions may have updated terms
- GPL "or later" allows version upgrades
- Premium terms may evolve
- Grandfather clauses may apply
Open Source Commitment
Our long-term commitment:
- Free plugins will remain GPL
- Open source principles upheld
- WordPress compatibility maintained
- Community contributions welcomed
- Transparent licensing practices
Additional Resources
GPL Information
- GNU.org - Official GPL documentation
- WordPress.org - WordPress licensing information
- FSF.org - Free Software Foundation resources
- GPL-violations.org - License enforcement
WordPress Specific
- WordPress License page
- Plugin Directory guidelines
- Theme review requirements
- Developer handbook
Last Updated: July 29, 2026
These license terms apply to all current and future LionWP plugins and services.