CogitoErgoSum

This is why I put ‘adopted’ between quotes …

The ownership has been transferred a few weeks ago.

I would be eager to know your point of view on the circonstances, if you care to read my comment here https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/remove-this-plugin-from-wordpress-respository?replies=5

Brilliant or sneaky … or both ?

Although I disagree with most of RickC4’s argumentation, I think this has to be considered as an abuse of the repository.

I put myself in the shoes of most users:
1/ Search for a google map plugin
2/ Find this plugin
3/ Because of the number of downloads, I trust and install the plugin
4/ There is an advice from the author (or ex author) that I should try your plugin … why not.
5/ The plugin I install comes directly from your site (not from the repository) and is a premium plugin …

I think your explanation about the spirit of WordPress and keeping the code for hypothetical developers to fork is a bit lame; we both know that the value of a plugin in the repository is essentially its popularity (most people don’t look at the code inside).

I observed that the number of downloads of abandoned plugins does not go down until the message ‘This plugin hasn’t been updated in over 2 years.’ appears.

So you got yourself 2 years advertisement for your plugin … which I find brilliant.

However, it’s also depriving a motivated developer to adopt a successful plugin to make it live properly.

All the best.

This plugin has been ‘adopted’ … and it’s still going to die ??

Although I absolutely understand and respect Alex’s choice to give up, I don’t think the ownership should have been transferred to the owner of another successful plugin for the sole purpose of acquiring users.

At least, that’s the way it looks …