You're basically given a free license to use the template under specific terms; one of them being the sponsors attribution remain - you're not given a free copy of the template to do as you wish.

This is a condition of use and if someone doesn't like the conditions, don't use the product.

Part of the problem stems from those offering templates without any specific terms being agreed to prior to allowing someone to download a copy.

Removing the sponsors attribution violates the template owners copyright and the site can be shut down. More template owners should go throught the simple process and file a DMCA notice with the offending parties host and registrar.

well, if it's specified, then it's so, but if it ain't and it's noted free, then so be it as well !

anyway, yes I paid CASH for my phpLD script, you don't see me freaking out that I had to remove the links myself !

if you want to make up some examples;

let's say Ford gives me a free car, cool, but then it turns out that I can only take gas at their special pump and I have to pay 3 double price for it ... well fukc them !

but ok, I get it, you guys are frustrated and not open for discussion ... I didn't take your freaking template, I paid for mine !!

but you shouldn't put your template on a FREE list and then cry like a baby that people use it for free ... that's all ... it's just an opinion !

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Abso-bloody-lutely FREE directory :: Online Internet Marketing Services -> Manual Submissions

Sounds to me like its you who's doing a lot of crying, me I wouldn't use a template like that, but then again I'd never use a directory name as stupid as that either. But hey, its just an opinion.

-MGS-

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Directory-Owners: The straight talking forum.
I recommend the phpLynx Business Directory Script

well, I'm happy you start to lighting up and make jokes ;-)

hehe

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Abso-bloody-lutely FREE directory :: Online Internet Marketing Services -> Manual Submissions

Speaking in more or less general terms, I got a "free" template because I liked the style. I figured I could customize it a bit to make it fit the theme of my site. Almost immediately (before any modifications) I noticed what I thought was a minor problem - a 1 pixel shift. I posted a support question in the topic about the template release. No answer. I posted another question in the same forum, but asking for help in the general templates support section. No one replied. I sent email to the author. No reply. I visited the website the template linked to and sent a contact form asking for help. No reply.

I went to great trouble to seek support from the designer. After more than a week, I asked for general design help (I knew it was a CSS problem, just didn't know how to resolve it myself) and got the help I needed. It turned out there was quite a few other CSS and XHTML errors that I had to fix. Once I redesigned the template and finished fixing all the problems, I went into the footer and deleted the designer's links. I don't feel those links were deserved. I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I did by giving them the recommendation that a link represents. I don't have one bit of guilt.

I'm not sure I understand the concept of "sponsored templates", but if a template is offered by a designer or a third party, they are responsible for the support of that template. If they do not support it, then their rights, as far as I'm concerned, are null and void.

The term, "free", is universal and no judge would accept the reason for non-compliance of the license being simply because you have a different definition of the term. However, if there is no expressly written requirement to link back to the designer/sponsor, or if the license agreement concerning those links has no legal standing, then the user has the authority to remove them.

In my opinion, designing a template doesn't entitle the designer to a free ride. Produce a product that works and continue to support it for as long as you want the link-back. Although software licensing convention has bled into template design, it really shouldn't have. A template is like a set of clothes. It's a style, a look or a statement the user wants to convey based on the expert craftsmanship of the designer. I have to carry oxygen around 24/7, so I do it in a nice backpack because I still want to be the stylin' dude I was in my healthier days. But I'll be damned if CamelBak is going to force me to advertise for them everywhere I go with their big-ass logo on the back of my packs. I know how to remove the stitching that holds it on and do.

Sure, we're talking a bought and paid for backpack, or other clothing - or stretch it even further and you can see I take the badging off my car too. What we're really talking about here is value. One of my clients gets $80.00 every month for 4 small text links in his footer. That would be 20 bucks a piece. If the average template (and if too many people have the same template, it is just average) is valued at somewhere around 100.00, then why are they asking for lifetime links? It's only worth what it's worth, not more.

Ah well, just my opinion. I thought I'd throw it into the fray - and it has been a fray to be sure.

R'gards,

Jim