In reply to Matt.

Ok, before I answer some of the points you've made and additional questions, let's go over what happens if you decide to promote, encourage, write about, link to, sell, build into client work, non GPL or GPL compatible WordPress products.

You can't organize, speak, or volunteer at WordCamps.

Businesses or WordPress developer shops that use or implement non GPL or compatible products into their clients sites can not be listed on http://directory.codepoet.com/ (yes I know they are no longer adding to the directory) or any other official WordPress directory showcasing development agencies.

Any site that has articles published in the WordPress dashboard feed can not actively promote, link to, review, or encourage people towards non GPL or compatible products. However, if a non-GPL plugin or theme is making headlines because of its license, chances are I'll write about it but without linking to the product in question. The rules of the dashboard have been around for a long time and ever since the Tavern was added a few years ago, the site has operated under those guidelines.

A commercial theme business with just one product that is not GPL or compatible licensed will not be advertised on the WordPress.org commercial theme directory.

Let's say you upload a plugin or theme to the directory and the author URL points to your website. On that website are banner ads or an affiliate link to a product that's not GPL licensed or compatible. The plugin wouldn't be allowed on the repo, that's how far of a reach these guidelines go.

Let's also keep in mind that we're not just talking about black and white GPLv2 or compatible licensing, but 100% GPL Licensing. I jokingly like to refer to it as MattGPL because despite split-licensing being a legit form of GPL, it's not Matt Mullenweg compatible. To him, 100% GPL is the only true way to be GPLv2 licensed.

Now, a few years ago you might have gotten away with being successful with a non-GPL or compatible licensed product. Thesis is a good example. But if you try it today, the deck of cards is stacked against you, not only online in the community, but at social events such as WordCamps which are excellent places to do on the ground marketing and meet with potential new clients although that should never be the primary reason for going to a WordCamp.

With regards to ThemeForest and some authors making 7 figures, that's a great point. There are probably plenty of moneymakers on CodeCanyon as well. Both with authors selling products not GPL or compatible licensed. That is an interesting dynamic and what's more, they are proving to be financially successful without sites like the Tavern reviewing or mentioning their products.

This is food for thought. I think what it proves is that those marketplaces have become so large both in developers and customers, they are able to be insulated to a degree from the community. They can just make products, sell them, live their life.

"I could be reading this wrong, but, I don’t think that this “victory” should be celebrated? I thought blacklisting smart, hard working people was foolish and counter productive to growth/community."

But you see, Jake Caputo was not targeted but rather collateral damage. At the time, Themeforest only allowed for split licensing of themes which was not ok by the WordCamp guidelines, as Caputo eloquently put it, "I Am A Casualty In A War Between Giants". So while his themes may have been awesome, his contributions to the WP community equally so and a dedicated WordCamp volunteer and speaker, not selling his themes as 100% GPL on Themeforest trumped everything else.

When I say "significantly increase your chances of success in the WordPress community by aligning with the GPL or a compatible license." That means myself, this site, and on Twitter and other means can talk about and promote the product or business. Getting it in front of not only influential members of the WordPress community but the general public as well. But you know, I'm in this Tavern bubble and the word success is relative. But if you look back in time, if you go ahead and release a product that's not compatible with the GPL, and it becomes a great success, I think it's only a matter of time before Matt does what he can to either convince the business owner to go 100% GPL, pressure them into it, or threaten legal action as he did with Thesis. Just based on observations, it really disappoints and ticks Matt off to see businesses built on top of WordPress denying customers the same freedoms they themselves are afforded through WordPress. Why even risk going through all of that trouble if you don't have to?

I've convinced a few other developers to go 100% GPL not through force, but by education. Pros and cons of each side. If you don't "fall in line with the norm" in the beginning with a WordPress product business and the norm being 100% GPL or compatible, I think it's only a matter of time before it happens anyways.

I look at it this way. There's a line in the sand. On one side, there is 100% GPL and compatible which Matt wants and fully supports, so does every other WordPress.org asset, including WordCamps. It's filled with successful commercial theme and plugin businesses doing their thing, proving it can be done while licensing their products 100% GPL. On the other side is no support from .org and who knows, Matt at a desk waiting to push a big red button that changes the business owners mind and switches them to 100% GPL or compatible. I figure, why allow a business owner with a new product to go down a path that in the end, may lead to nowhere with regards to licensing when I can educate them about all of the benefits of just outright going 100% GPL or compatible and maybe having a better go at it.

I'm going to guess I answered none of your questions :)