[wp-docs] Codex licence issue

[Lorelle VanFossen]

As one of the long time editors and contributors to the WordPress Codex, I
echo the thoughts of other documentation team members. First, thank you for
asking. That is much appreciated. Few do, so thank you for your gracious
inquiry.

However, I have a few thoughts on this, unrelated to the legal
ramifications. If someone just copies the WordPress Codex content and puts
it into a book without adding their own original contributions, edits, and
voice, who would bother spending money on what they can get for free, and
really, what does that say about the quality of the author's work that
plagiarism would even be considered acceptable, not to mention the
reflection of the work on the editor and publisher of such a book. But
that's my personal opinion, as a fellow author and web publisher. In today's
social web, reputation is really important. I'd hate to risk it.

Regarding the rest, the license is as stated. The WordPress Codex is open to
all to contribute and make use of the content. The WordPress Handbook is
different and will use Codex content but is its own creature which may have
different rules and licenses. We'll have to face that when it is available.

As for changing the copyright status of the Codex, this has been debated
extensively since day one and we're really proud of the licensing as it
stands. We're open to changes, especially if there are changes in copyright
laws with the evolution of web publishing and such, so if anyone has better
recommendations, let's start digging again into the legal ramifications of
how this all works.

Lorelle VanFossen
On the Road - Portland, Oregon > Holland > Phoenix
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