Applying WordPress Licensing to Your Projects
Regular users of WordPress software need never concern themselves with the GPL of the WordPress project at all. Regular users of the platform have to do nothing special to abide by the GPL. You don't have to pay to use the WordPress software, and you aren't required to acknowledge that you're using the WordPress software on your site. (That said, providing on your site at least one link back to the WordPress Web site is common courtesy and a great way of saying thanks.)
Most regular users of WordPress aren't even aware of the software licensing because it doesn't affect the day-to-day business of blogging and publishing their sites with the platform. However, it's not a bad idea to educate yourself on the basics of the GPL and try to be certain that any plugins and themes you use with your WordPress installation abide by the GPL so that you have peace of mind that all applications and software you're using are in compliance.
Knowledge of the GPL must increase dramatically if you develop plugins or themes for the WordPress platform. We cover WordPress themes in Book VI, and WordPress plugins in Book VII.
The public licensing that pertains to WordPress plugins and themes wasn't decided in a court of law. The current opinion of the best (legal) practices is just that, opinion. The opinion of the WordPress core development team, as well as the opinion of the Software Freedom Law Center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_Freedom_Law_Center ...
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