By Brook on

Just wondered if it's possible for developers to create Drupal modules and then sell them?

I was thinking a bunch of us could chip in and pay an off-shore company to create a vBulletin-like forum module for Drupal, and then sell the module until the initial cost was recouped.

I guess it's like paying for a custom module to get coded now.

Can you buy Drupal modules like this already?

What does everyone else think?

Comments

styro’s picture

styro commented

but you'd have to abide by the GPL when you distribute it to others. eg anyone you sell it to can then onsell or distribute it themselves.

Basically the FSF opinion (search the drupal-dev list archives) is that PHP code that is included into a GPL application and uses the API of that application becomes a derivative work and also falls under the GPL. This is only important if you want to distribute it to others though - custom modules you write for yourself and don't need to worry about that.

But don't take my word for it - you'd need to satisfy yourself about this stuff if the code being GPLed would be a problem for you.

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Anton
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Brook’s picture

Brook commented

Ah right, so it wouldn't work then - because those buying it could then go on and put it on Drupal.org for free? So the original team wouldn't get their money back. Probably explains why I haven't noticed any commercial modules for Drupal.

Not sure it's a good idea tbh :-/

duckzland’s picture

duckzland commented

But if you examine linux, like redhat. They survive fine under GPL licensing.

Anyway for custom module visit http://www.drupalstore.info

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