Post by OSWorX » Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:01 am

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Edit by Johnathan: I split this GNU/GPL discussion from the original topic, because it's not directly related to the change in order notifications from opencart.com.
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Interesting how many people are here replying and yelling.
The most interested facts of that here are:

1. many of you are selling software which is covered under the GNU/GPL
2. most of you are NOT participating this forum

While #1 is okay, it makes me sick hearing you here!
If all of you rely on selling software only, it seems that your business model is the wrong one!

#2 makes more more angry, because all of you are getting money, but give nothing back (except the pieces you are selling).
But when it comes - like now, we can read your statements here.

Just to round up that here are a few facts about the used license:

Does the GPL allow me to require that anyone who receives the software must pay me a fee and/or notify me?
In short: no - but read by yourself: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... RequireFee

This point may from the most interest for all of you, using "home calls" etc.
Why?
Because:
If people have to pay when they get a copy of a program, or if they have to notify anyone in particular, then the program is not free.
Why free?
Well, all your software is distributed under the GNU/GPL (without any further notice), because OpenCart itself is published under the GNU/GPL v.3
And you all would be not here and/or selling software without OpenCart
And this license states clearly, that all software distributed under it IS FREE - under the understanding of "Free to everyone" and "Free to edit" it.
Also "Free to publish" it - also modified versions.
Which leads to:

(Why) does the GPL permit users to publish their modified versions?
Everyone is encouraged to publish modified versions (but no obligation to do so).
But read by yourself: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Wh ... edVersions

If I distribute GPLed software for a fee, am I required to also make it available to the public without a charge?
Bad news for all of you, if someone pays a fee > he CAN publish that software also.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic

If I add a module to a GPL-covered program, do I have to use the GPL as the license for my module?
Yes, or a lesser license - read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#GPLModuleLicense
Means basically, all of you are not allowed to publish any of your software which does not follow the rules of the GNU/GPL (or lesser license like AGPL, LGPL, etc.).

Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company “distribution”?
Many of you are "licensing" their software under the "condition", not running the software more than once.
Some of you allow to use a copy during the "development stage".
But none of you allow to use multiple copies - which violates clearly the GNU/GPL, it says: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#In ... stribution

Can I use GPLed software on a device that will stop operating if customers do not continue paying a subscription fee?
Means in this case, I have seen (and read it sometimes) that there may a "subscription fee" to be paid to operate the already paid software.
In short: this is not allowed!
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#SubscriptionFee

One (1) further interesting aspect of the whole license is following (because can be sometimes read - also in this forum):
Does the GPL allow me to sell copies of the program for money?
In short: yes, but the money is only for the service around, not the software itself.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... AllowMoney and https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic

Three (3) final notes:

(a) Someone pays for a copy of the software - may he distribute it (free or/and paid)?
In short: yes.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic

(b) Encrypted/Obfuscated code - is that allowed?
In short: no.
The whole license is talking about source code which means implicite not encrypted/obfuscated.
Especially when someone pays for it - the source code has to be provided (latest on demand of the user who paid for it).

Privacy/GDPR/etc.
It is time to rethink this whole process!
I times of GDPR, CCPA, CCA, and so on, OpenCart as seller has the obligation to protect their clients.
Which means also NOT to publish personal data to everyone (here the so called "developers")!
And email address, first- / lastnames are personal data.

Beside the fact that European Customers (beside some other countries) have the right NOT to find their personal data in/on someones cloud/hard drive in a Country which has no contract with the European Community.
And - further - no data processing contract with OpenCart.

This is also a issue which has to be made public for all - especially for the potential customers when they intend to buy and software.
Currently I do not see any transparent process how data is handled, why when and which!

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Post by karapuz » Mon Nov 01, 2021 12:45 pm

OSWorX wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:01 am
#2 makes more more angry, because all of you are getting money, but give nothing back (except the pieces you are selling).
Oh, yeah. We give nothing back except paying commission from every sale. That is how a marketplace works. Everybody wins when sales go smoothly. Now the user experience degraded significantly. I would be glad to use any license validation system from Opencart but they don't offer anything in replace.

By the way, recently some sellers received another email asking to rise their prices to $39.9. This is probably another stab to a healthy selling. Not sure what they have in mind.

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Post by OSWorX » Mon Nov 01, 2021 3:54 pm

karapuz wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 12:45 pm
OSWorX wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:01 am
#2 makes more more angry, because all of you are getting money, but give nothing back (except the pieces you are selling).
Oh, yeah. We give nothing back except paying commission from every sale.
That's the condition every seller agreed when he "signed" the OpenCart Marketplace contract.
This commision is for the provider of the Marketplace, offering the structure and services around.

While we all could discuss the quality of it, the offered services around, the benefit in general of it.
Because the current Marketplace is missing much.

Is the Markteplace a better alternative to a own store?
In my opinion: no.
I think a developer will have finally more when he operates a own store, a own website.
Selling over the Marketplace is only selling articles, the more the better.

But what about the services around?
This is what I have meant that most of you are using the wrong business model.
Only selling extensions will be not enough.

What I meant (and I am sure all of you understood) is: how many of you are participating this forum?
Sharing knowledge, helping users?

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Post by clicker.extensions » Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm

An only things customers care is how easy is extension installation, how it will do the job and how fast a developer will respond on support requests in case of issue or incompatibility with another extension.

99% of customers don't care about is this extension encoded/obfuscated or uses callbacks or license check.

Their main purpose is to install and forget. Not to spend time communicating with developer. Because they are not playing games, but also earning money with their stores. And while they are communicating with developer - they lose their money.

If you start blocking extensions or accounts for this, like you did with my extensions, you will stay only with Hello World extensions on the Marketplace.
You are always talking about Marketplace Rules, but never make them public. First you prohibit obfuscation of parts of the code, then you prohibit any links to developer's website on extension page, then you prohibit license check. What else is in these Rules? Please show us a complete list.

Nobody will ever invest years and tens of thousands dollars in developing good and complicated extensions just to make someone happy out there.

Every developer needs to feed his family. If he doesn't - his wife will prohibit him selling on OpenCart Marketplace and will require him to find a better job :)

Perhaps you have other sources of income, but most developers do not. Just return to the ground.

Isn't it better to add additional properties to Marketplace extensions, where developer can point these attributes:
Price: 20USD
Encoded: Ioncube/Obfuscated/Not encoded
License check: Yes/No/Serial number/etc
Number of licensed domains: 1/2/3/Unlimited
Subscription: monthly/annual/No subscription

And showing this information on extension page let a customer decide if he wants to purchase it.


Why only customer and marketplace must be happy, but not developer?
Why not make this profit equal for everyone?
- Customer gets a plug-and-play extension which will do the described job. And 1 year of free support.
- Marketplace gets a commission and OpenCart popularity thanks to variety of extensions available.
- Developer gets profit from each purchase if his extension is popular and good. And he can protect his extension from stealing.

What you described earlier, means that customer must spend for example 6-12 months developing and extension, spending thousands of dollars, and then after first 20USD purchase any customer may resell it or even redistribute it for free forever because... GNU/GPL... And stop yelling! You! Slaves! Row faster!
Is this a business model you are talking about?

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Post by OSWorX » Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:39 pm

clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
99% of customers don't care about is this extension encoded/obfuscated or uses callbacks or license check.
Don't know from where you are, but all those people I know (from around the whole world) to not want such!
The more if the store handles with sensitive data.
Encoded/obfuscated: how many of are using this technique and how many of are publishing it clear and what that does mean?
The moment sensitive and personal data is handled, the whole process must be clear!
And who else beside you know what the obfuscated code really do?

And a simple "License Check" on users interaction (check it when the customer click a button/link) will be okay.
But not doing such at every call of the extension!
The more - saw such too many times in the past at many extensions! - such "home calls" send often much more data than only doing a simple license check.
And the best with that, the receiver is amyn times a anonymous Gmailaddress - very confidential!
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
Their main purpose is to install and forget. Not to spend time communicating with developer. Because they are not playing games, but also earning money with their stores. And while they are communicating with developer - they lose their money.
100% correct and fully agreed.
The more, the less time I have to "spend" time with customers, the more time I can develop and give support or do my other services (because I do not sell only extensions).
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
If you start blocking extensions or accounts for this, like you did with my extensions, you will stay only with Hello World extensions on the Marketplace.
You are always talking about Marketplace Rules, but never make them public. First you prohibit obfuscation of parts of the code, then you prohibit any links to developer's website on extension page, then you prohibit license check. What else is in these Rules? Please show us a complete list.
Nothing to show, the license (GNU/GPL) itself states such clearly!
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
Every developer needs to feed his family. If he doesn't - his wife will prohibit him selling on OpenCart Marketplace and will require him to find a better job :)
Correct, nobody force to you to participate in this business ..
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
Perhaps you have other sources of income, but most developers do not.
My fault?
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:32 pm
Isn't it better to add additional properties to Marketplace extensions, where developer can point these attributes:
Price: 20USD
Encoded: Ioncube/Obfuscated/Not encoded
License check: Yes/No/Serial number/etc
Number of licensed domains: 1/2/3/Unlimited
Subscription: monthly/annual/No subscription

And showing this information on extension page let a customer decide if he wants to purchase it.
Yes, why not?
If the extension is published under the rules - and license.

Overall your post shows me, that what I've said already earlier: you have to rethink your business model.

Finally: not I make the rules, they are the result of the GNU/GPL License and Daniel.
And it's Daniels obligation to publish the rules clearly.

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Post by paulfeakins » Mon Nov 01, 2021 7:06 pm

It's a little strange there was no notice but from our point of view it's ok because our extensions don't require licences to work and we're happy for support queries to go through the OpenCart support desk.

We're also not interested in selling our extensions direct to people - if someone asks then we just point them to the extension store - we'd rather give OpenCart the commission and have the increase number of sales on the extension page.

So we did previously use the email callback URL, but we won't really miss it. I can see why others would have liked some notice though.

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Post by clicker.extensions » Mon Nov 01, 2021 7:26 pm

I can tell a short story how this happened with my account.

On September 20 my account was blocked without any notification. All commercial and free extensions and payouts.

I was out of town and found this out on September 24, when my customers started writing me they cannot access downloads.

All communications with support took another 2 weeks. Reason was - my extensions had obfuscated parts of code and home calls.
Meantime all my extensions have disappeared from Google search because they were 404. I did not get a payout in October because account was blocked at that moment.
And this started right after I have blamed another developer in stealing parts of my code, which I did not publish on any forums. He simply renamed functions prefixes from clicker_ to md_.

I had hundreds of satisfied customers and no complaints since 2016.

So literally, Marketplace have killed my small business once my extensions have became popular, and it will take months to renew my sales.

On October 29 my extension was blocked again because of links to my website. Another secret Rule? As you understand, it is Friday, and it is impossible to get any reply from support till Monday.

I think this can be a lesson of Marketplace "business model" for others.

Anyone can steal your code, and after you blame a developer in doing so, you will be attacked with complaints and banned by Marketplace support.
Luckily you will be unbanned, but trial with support will take you weeks or months. While a thief continues to sell your code and almost an exact copy of your extension. Out of internet this is known as raider seizure of property.

So never totally rely on selling extensions in Marketplace only. Though it has a lot of visitors and purchases you can lose everything in one moment.


And now OSWorX says, earn money somewhere else, but bring your sources here to Marketplace to make them public.

OSWorX says it is not him who creates these rules. Ok. But Daniel simply ignores any requests. Support behaves as if I am criminal. And meantime, ideas, OSWorX stands for here, are implemented without any notification and transition period in Marketplace.
So no one is guilty except a developer himself.
Last edited by clicker.extensions on Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:52 pm, edited 5 times in total.

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Post by clicker.extensions » Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:27 pm

So basically, it is still unclear:
1. Can I use licensing per domain name mechanism with callbacks? License form in module settings?
2. Can I encode/obfuscate this mechanism only to prevent it's delition or bypass by pirates.

Just make it clear for all developers.
Tell how GDPR must be organized, to exclude any claims to marketplace about gathered license data from clients.

Because all this talks about GPL are leading only to removal of price field in extensions form and making them free and open source for all.
It is that simple.

Because I don't need to say that searching in Google "opencart nulled extension_name" discourages any ded6ire to spend months building a complicated extension.

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Post by OSWorX » Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:03 pm

clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:27 pm
So basically, it is still unclear:
1. Can I use licensing per domain name mechanism with callbacks? License form in module settings?
The license calls this "distribution".
Enhanced: if company X buys one copy of you, they can use it within their organisation as meny times they want/need.
As already posted above, but here again: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#In ... stribution
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:27 pm
2. Can I encode/obfuscate this mechanism only to prevent it's delition or bypass by pirates.
Clearly: no.
The whole license is talking about Source Code which means, the code you are publishing must be readable.
What you could do is to publish a so called Binary, but the buyer has the right to obtain the source code (not obfuscated or/and encrypted) - what al later "consequences" like modifying, dsitributing, etc.
That's the main ideas behind this license.
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:27 pm
Just make it clear for all developers.
Tell how GDPR must be organized, to exclude any claims to marketplace about gathered license data from clients.
Read the GDPR by yourself: https://gdpr.eu/
Basically we are talking here about the obligations of Daniel / the MarketPlace.

> Keep privacy clear and understandable.
> Share data only when you (Daniel) has the consent (of the user/customer)
> If data has to be shared - both, customer and seller (e.g. to a delivery service, payment provider) - it must be published (prior to purchase - see consent)
> If data is shared with developers, do they have a data processing contract (both parties)?
> When data is shared, which Countries are involved (see e.g. GDPR and USA <> Europe)
> When data has to be shared, keep it minimal
clicker.extensions wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:27 pm
Because all this talks about GPL are leading only to removal of price field in extensions form and making them free and open source for all.
It is that simple.
Should I understand this last 2 sentences - giving no sense to me.
GPL does not forbid publishing/offering extensions/templates/services/etc. customers have to pay something for.
True is, the license encourage developers to make money - but under the rules of the GNU/GPL.

In your case (on some other maybe too), why not offering a basic extension for free.
And offer then additionally so called add-ons the people have to pay for.
This model will not prevent you from stealing code, but if someone is doing that, the license covers that also - you can contact the FSF at any time.
Guess you have to read - and understand - first what GNU/GPL does mean.

I have read your "disput" with the other developer.
If he really has stolen your code, it will be easy for you to become right.

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Post by MickA » Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:41 pm

OSWorX wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:01 am
Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company “distribution”?
Many of you are "licensing" their software under the "condition", not running the software more than once.
Some of you allow to use a copy during the "development stage".
But none of you allow to use multiple copies - which violates clearly the GNU/GPL, it says: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#In ... stribution
Oh dear, how on earth did we all get to this point.

This goes against opencart's own terms of purchase.

"By purchasing extensions / templates you agree to:

Use it for one website ONLY (sub-domains act as separate website), unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior to the re-using.

Reselling the downloaded work is NOT ALLOWED, unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior the reselling.

Copyrights removal is NOT ALLOWED, unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use must) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior to the removal.

Can't claim the downloaded work as your own, please respect the effort and time spent to accomplish this work.

In case of a defaulted downloaded work, you have the right to claim a full refund. Opencart team's verification must be in place prior to any refund action."

I must presume the paid extensions and themes do not come under the GNU/GPL

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Post by OSWorX » Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:26 pm

MickA wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:41 pm
OSWorX wrote:
Mon Nov 01, 2021 1:01 am
Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company “distribution”?
Many of you are "licensing" their software under the "condition", not running the software more than once.
Some of you allow to use a copy during the "development stage".
But none of you allow to use multiple copies - which violates clearly the GNU/GPL, it says: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#In ... stribution
Oh dear, how on earth did we all get to this point.

This goes against opencart's own terms of purchase.

"By purchasing extensions / templates you agree to:

Use it for one website ONLY (sub-domains act as separate website), unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior to the re-using.

Reselling the downloaded work is NOT ALLOWED, unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior the reselling.

Copyrights removal is NOT ALLOWED, unless stated by the original developer. Written approval (or attached terms of use must) must be obtained from the original owner of the work prior to the removal.

Can't claim the downloaded work as your own, please respect the effort and time spent to accomplish this work.

In case of a defaulted downloaded work, you have the right to claim a full refund. Opencart team's verification must be in place prior to any refund action."

I must presume the paid extensions and themes do not come under the GNU/GPL
Some of these points are only a copy (short summary) of the license rules.
E.g. copyright removals, or claiming the work as your own.
Also reselling - clearly forbidden by the license (but not forbidden to publish it and get money for the download).

Using it on one (1) website only: already written what that is.

Using this license was Daniels idea, but at the end - if it is chosen, all have to follow.
Sorry, but that are the rules.

Nobody prevents Daniel to create his own license if the GN/GPL v.3 does not fit (anymore).

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Post by liveopencart » Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:39 am

In terms of GNU/GPL, many (or most of) opencart extensions are "plugins", which do not form a "single combined program" together with opencart itself.
Such extensions (plugins) can have other (non GNU/GPL) licenses.

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Post by clicker.extensions » Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:30 pm

liveopencart wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:39 am
In terms of GNU/GPL, many (or most of) opencart extensions are "plugins", which do not form a "single combined program" together with opencart itself.
Such extensions (plugins) can have other (non GNU/GPL) licenses.
I think OSWorX does not care.
He just wants communism.
Where everything is free, belongs to society, and everyone is occupied with idea making OpenCart forum great again :)

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Post by OSWorX » Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:14 pm

liveopencart wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:39 am
In terms of GNU/GPL, many (or most of) opencart extensions are "plugins", which do not form a "single combined program" together with opencart itself.
Such extensions (plugins) can have other (non GNU/GPL) licenses.
Interesting point of view.
And what leads you to that?

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Post by OSWorX » Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:18 pm

clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:30 pm
liveopencart wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:39 am
In terms of GNU/GPL, many (or most of) opencart extensions are "plugins", which do not form a "single combined program" together with opencart itself.
Such extensions (plugins) can have other (non GNU/GPL) licenses.
I think OSWorX does not care.
He just wants communism.
Where everything is free, belongs to society, and everyone is occupied with idea making OpenCart forum great again :)
Well, I take care of those things.
But your "answer" shows me, that you have understood - nothing.

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Post by JNeuhoff » Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:09 pm

OSWorX wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:14 pm
liveopencart wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:39 am
In terms of GNU/GPL, many (or most of) opencart extensions are "plugins", which do not form a "single combined program" together with opencart itself.
Such extensions (plugins) can have other (non GNU/GPL) licenses.
Interesting point of view.
And what leads you to that?
Even on open source operating systems such as Linux it is not uncommon to also run commercially-licensed software.

I could imagine that some 3rd party plugins, typically located in the system/storage/vendor, may use a different license which may or may not be based on GPL.

Personally, I would never use OpenCart extensions which implement callbacks for license registrations, or where the PHP code is encrypted or obfuscated.

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Post by clicker.extensions » Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm

JNeuhoff wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:09 pm
Even on open source operating systems such as Linux it is not uncommon to also run commercially-licensed software.
Does this software use callbacks or include encoded sources/binaries? Do you always check this?
Same for Windows.

If an application is widely used and a developer has a good reputation and his support respond to customer requests, why do I need to care what is inside his sources?
JNeuhoff wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:09 pm
Personally, I would never use OpenCart extensions which implement callbacks for license registrations, or where the PHP code is encrypted or obfuscated.
If I was a car service owner, I would never allow anyone to repair and maintain my car.

As a PHP/OpenCart developer I try not to use any extensions except own at all :)

But I am sure my phones, tablets, notebooks and PCs are full of encoded software with callbacks. What should I do about this?
Damn! OpenCart uses callbacks at least for marketplace and banner image in modules. Do I need not to use OpenCart?

Modern applications consist of many external dependencies located on different servers and databases. Let's just cut out internet connection from every server and use online store on it.

Source code also has a value. Isn't it normal trying to protect at least some part of it? Allowing third-party developers modifying another part.

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Post by OSWorX » Tue Nov 02, 2021 10:03 pm

JNeuhoff wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:09 pm
Even on open source operating systems such as Linux it is not uncommon to also run commercially-licensed software.

I could imagine that some 3rd party plugins, typically located in the system/storage/vendor, may use a different license which may or may not be based on GPL.
Correct.
But here, we have to make a difference.
Libraries stored inside the vendor folder, may have any license (but here, also if this license allows to call/embedd the library).
But the moment any extension is using the core OpenCart with something like

Code: Select all

class ControllerExtensionModuleMyModule extends Controller
it use the core and core functions (hence the function "extends").
Without this core functions (and other) this extension would never work.
So it depends on it and needs it.
Which leads us to the main question: what kind of license is OpenCart using?
Therefore the extension must be of the same or lesser.
JNeuhoff wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:09 pm
Personally, I would never use OpenCart extensions which implement callbacks for license registrations, or where the PHP code is encrypted or obfuscated.
I am sure, many devs will also not.
And users/clienst/customer should?

Once again: there is nothing to say against a "license check" - if needed (what I personally not believe!).
But on "users demand", means - if he wants to make such a check, the process behind must be clearly transparent: why, what is submitted, to whom, where, how long is the data stored (see GDPR, etc.).
And only then, when he initiate such a check, e.g. by clicking a button.
But not always the extension is opened or settings from are stored - what many of those functions are doing.

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Post by OSWorX » Tue Nov 02, 2021 10:25 pm

clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
If an application is widely used and a developer has a good reputation and his support respond to customer requests, why do I need to care what is inside his sources?
Who is responsible for the "good reputation" - mostly?
The customers (because they will give the feedback).
But do those customers also know, what you are sending to yourself with your "license checks"?
No.
clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
If I was a car service owner, I would never allow anyone to repair and maintain my car.
...
But I am sure my phones, tablets, notebooks and PCs are full of encoded software with callbacks. What should I do about this?
Not the theme here and now at all - but you could work also without a internet connection ;)
clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
Damn! OpenCart uses callbacks at least for marketplace and banner image in modules. Do I need not to use OpenCart?
OpenCart send with such requests the stored username, the host and the used version.
While it is currently not transparent for the customer (should be added to the installation routine), the background if these calls is to help the customers to become the most accurate extensions displayed.

Could we talk about here again, if such requests should be available only on users demand .. ?!
I personally do not like all of such automatic routines and disable them as soon as possible - or add a custom function if the client wants such further.

Here again: think of the GDPR!
clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
Modern applications consist of many external dependencies located on different servers and databases. Let's just cut out internet connection from every server and use online store on it.
Disqualifies itself, a online store which is not online - good point!
Beside this, every call of a external source leads to trackable traces.

Here again: GDPR etc.
Where is users consent?
clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
Source code also has a value. Isn't it normal trying to protect at least some part of it?
No question, your hard work should be paid.
And it is up to you how much you want get back for your work.
But if that means to encrypt or obfuscate code > no way.

Source code - or not .. that's the question.
If, then all - or nothing.
clicker.extensions wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 9:34 pm
Allowing third-party developers modifying another part.
Why not?
That's Open Source - you accepted by participating this "party".
And you will loose nothing, because if you offer your "hard work" as additional plugins (while the basic is free) I am sure you will get finally your money - more than before.
That could be done with your own API - if transparent, Daniel will accept ist.
But that requires a - safe - structure you own and you have to maintain and operate.

Nothing is for free.

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Post by JNeuhoff » Tue Nov 02, 2021 10:49 pm

But the moment any extension is using the core OpenCart with something like

Code: Select all

class ControllerExtensionModuleMyModule extends Controller
it use the core and core functions (hence the function "extends").
Without this core functions (and other) this extension would never work.
Just curious: Do you have any links which explains the exact nature of allowed combining of GPL and non-GPL software?
I read this: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en ... dInterface

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