What we’re talking about here, it’s not Private Labeling, it’s just ripping it off..

There is a business on the internet called PLR. Basically you buy articles, do some changes and they are now your products to sell. So long as they are not an exact copy of the original then it appears to be legal. I don’t do it and I don’t like it but is this what is happening to Wordpress themes now ?

The principle of Economics dictate the same logic - if you sell your product now you can hire someone to help you, thus improving the overall experience of your business / product. But if you give it away for free, you just don’t have that leverage..

@ Andrew: you know, this is a fantastic idea. having all premium themes on the one site and code them so nobody can steal. I guess I’m not sure if that is doable at present. But what the mind can achieve it can conceive.
@ Gobala: I do hope that there will be some way to digitally secure premium WordPress themes (now here is an opportunity for a savvy coder).

@ James: Like you, I also believe that there are many great free themes available. However when it comes to branding a business or a name, nothing goes beyond a premium theme because they are unique or at least not flooding the marketplace.

With branding, one of the most important parts is to stand apart from the masses and present ourselves as a unique entity and that includes a unique theme.

For people like you, it is nothing to rip apart a free theme and make it your own, including customized colors.

But this differs entirely for people like me. While I can hack some of the code in WordPress my knowledge isn’t good enough to understand the structure of themes and therefore I couldn’t do everything I wanted comfortably.

So I go and get a premium theme and customize to make it my own.

But most bloggers don’t even know what a widget is or how to work with them. So what about these guys?

They need a premium theme if they want branding and therefore we need to help protect these designers intellectual property.

Do I own a “black” copy of photoshop? No I don’t. I would even know where to look until not so long ago.

Let’s not forget that WordPress designers run a business from home that pays their bills and puts bread on their table. They are not a multi billion dollar company who doesn’t give two hoots about losing a few (in their calculations) programs on the black market. Plus they don’t really give a toss about you as the consumer. But WordPress designers actually do, otherwise they wouldn’t provide support forums, feedback, setup help and a rather extensive comment section.

obviously the designer should be compensated.
obviously the thief doesn’t have any remorse so what can i say?
so the end user needs to consider who they are hurting. which would be themselves because they lose any support and the designer for their effort.

that prev comment should have been take care of your community and your community should take care of you. if you feel you are taking care of the community then there shouldnt be anything to worry about.