Can UDP Premium be used without account ? Is it legal ?

Hi,

The download file in our installation page is just the base file. It does not include the premium add-ons and it does require you to login to your UpdraftPlus account to install the full version.

Thanks,
Bryle

Thanks @bcrodua for you reply. Also, I got answer to my second question in the FAQs section.

Furthermore, whilst the GPL grants a perpetual right to use of software obtained under it, it does not grant a perpetual right to any associated services, for example, to receive updates to future updates of the software (in our case, purchases in general come with a right to 12 months of updates, subject to conditions (e.g. not abusing our support staff or other facilities) but you can check the details for individual products).

So basically, the code is always legal to distribute, but services are still bound with their terms. So even though someone is distributing premium plugin, that is not going to be advantageous as we have not actually purchased the rights of using the services legally.

“UpdraftPlus Premium” is our trademark referring to our packaged product which includes software and services (e.g. Vault storage, UpdraftClone tokens, UpdraftCentral access, updates, support), provided by us. If someone is claiming to sell this product and is only distributing a software portion then that act of re-applying our trademark to something else and of mis-description is not something permitted by the GPL, nor is re-using our other trademarks (e.g. our logos).

The GPL does not issue a right to re-purpose other people’s trademarks. The GPL allows and encourages re-use of code, which people can use *in their own products, with their own services and their own trademarks*. Re-use of code does not mean re-use of everything in any way someone pleases.

We don’t advise anyone to trade with people who misrepresent the and abuse GPL in this way. If you didn’t but UpdraftPlus Premium from us, then it’s not UpdraftPlus Premium, it’s a piece of misleading mis-selling of something else.

If you want to discuss this further, please go here – https://updraftplus.com/ask-a-pre-sales-question/ – WordPress want their forums to be used for supporting free plugins from www.ads-software.com, so to continue, this should go elsewhere.

David

Thank you @davidanderson for providing a clear and detailed insight regarding licensing and distribution of UpdraftPlus Premium.

Actually, I recently found many websites on internet, that claim to be legally distributing premium plugins as they are licensed under GPL. UpdraftPlus Premium is one of such poplular plugins being distributed via these sites. As a user of UpdraftPlus, and a novice in licensing stuff, I was curious about how legal such distribution is and how does it affect the intellectual and legal rights of the plugin authors.

From what you explained, I can now say that any premium plugin/theme comes with some service model and proper update and support channels. They are the services provided by plugin developers/authors. Also, they may have their own trademarks and GPL does not allow users, the right of using the services and trademarks in an open way. It only allows code to be distributed, and used in seperate distinct projects with their own distinct trademarks and services. So, those websites who are claiming to be good guys are actually misleading to people, also gaining money in a grey fashion.

Thanks for providing me this insight, thanks for UpdraftPlus plugin and excellent support..!