GPL stands for General Public License, and it is a free and open-source software license that provides legal protection for WordPress website. The GPL was created by Richard Stallman in order to protect GNU software from being made proprietary. GPL aims to counter proprietary digital products. It guarantees software users four freedoms: AbTheme

1. The freedom to run GPL-licensed software for any purpose like study, view, modify and share.
2. Source code is freely available to anyone. It allows developers to view, modify, and distribute the code.
3. The GPL does not impose restrictions. You can use it on any web hosting platform.
4. The freedom to share the software’s modified versions under the same licensing.

WordPress licenses its source code under GPL since it suits the platform’s open-source nature. The free software license gives site owners and developers free access to WordPress code, allowing them to create new features and make suggestions to improve the CMS. So, you can use GPL-licensed software in your WordPress website without any risk.

Are GPL Software Safe to Use and Legal?

Yes, software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) is generally safe to use and legal, as long as you comply with the terms of the license. The GPL is a widely used open-source software license that grants users the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software. The original GPL files don’t carry such risks. If someone modifies a file and adds malicious code to it, no one can stop them from doing it.

What Is the Benefits of GPL Themes and Plugins?

1. You can buy the theme or plugin of your choice at a low cost.
2. You will get all the features that you get if you buy from the official website.
3. You also get new updates in it.
4. Available at a much lower price than the original.

CONCLUSION

Although WordPress itself is released under the GPL, this does not mean that all themes and plugins available for WordPress are GPL-licensed. Some themes and plugins may have different licenses, so it’s essential to check the licensing terms for each specific theme or plugin you use. GPL are safe. There are no risks associated with the use of such themes.