What is Split Licensing?

Split licensing is a licensing arrangement that applies to certain items on Envato Elements — specifically, themes, plugins, and other items built for open-source platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.

Under split licensing, two separate sets of licence terms apply to different components of the same item:

• The open-source licence (typically the GPL) covers the components of the item that are subject to the open-source platform's licence requirements.
• The Envato Elements Licence covers all remaining components of the item created by the author.

This is why it is called a "split" licence — because a single item is governed by two different sets of licence terms at the same time, each covering a different portion of that item.

This article is primarily relevant to items on Envato Elements that are built for open-source platforms — such as CMS templates, WordPress themes, and plugins.

Why do some Envato Elements items use split licensing?

Many popular platforms — including WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla — are licensed under the General Public License (GPL). The GPL is a widely used open-source licence that requires certain components of any software built on top of a GPL-licensed platform to also be distributed under the GPL.

When Envato Elements authors create themes or plugins for these platforms, those items must comply with the GPL for the relevant components. Envato Elements therefore sells these items under a split licence to correctly reflect the different licence terms that apply to different parts of the item.

What does the GPL (or other open-source licence) cover?

For GPL-based items on Envato Elements — such as WordPress themes and plugins — the GPL applies to the PHP code and integrated HTML of the theme or plugin. These components must be distributed under the GPL when the item is shared or transferred.

All other components created by the author — including CSS, images, graphics, design elements, and photos — are covered by the Envato Elements Licence.

If a contributor is releasing a theme or plugin for a GPL-licensed platform, the PHP code and integrated HTML of the theme or plugin must be distributed under the GPL. This is a requirement of the GPL itself, not a choice made by Envato.

What does using the GPL mean for how items are distributed?

If an item is subject to the GPL, the GPL licence terms must also be included with the item whenever it is distributed — because the GPL governs any further use of the GPL-covered components.

When you download a GPL-covered item from Envato Elements, the open-source licence terms will be included with the item — either as a .txt file or embedded as part of the item itself. You should read and comply with those open-source licence terms in addition to the Envato Elements Licence.

What about third-party assets and other open-source licences?

Authors often include third-party assets in their items — for example, JavaScript libraries created by others. These third-party assets typically come with their own licences. Authors are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate rights and permissions to include those third-party assets in their items.

In addition to the GPL, some items may include components covered by other open-source licences such as the Open Software License (OSL). As with the GPL, any applicable open-source licence terms will be included with the item download. The same principle applies: the open-source licence covers the relevant components, and the Envato Elements Licence covers the rest.

Frequently asked questions

• Does this affect all Envato Elements items?

  No. Split licensing only applies to items built for open-source platforms — such as WordPress themes, WordPress plugins, Drupal templates, and Joomla themes. Standard stock assets (photos, music, fonts, video templates, graphics, etc.) are covered solely by the Envato Elements Licence with no split licensing involved.

• Do I need a separate GPL licence to use an Envato WordPress theme?

  No. When you download a WordPress theme or plugin from Envato Elements, the GPL licence terms are included with the item files. You do not need to obtain a separate GPL licence — the split licence arrangement is already built into how the item is packaged and sold.

• What parts of an Envato WordPress theme are covered by the GPL?

  The PHP code and integrated HTML of a WordPress theme or plugin are covered by the GPL. All other author-created components — CSS, images, graphics, design elements, and photos — are covered by the Envato Elements Licence. See the component table above for a breakdown.

• What is the difference between the GPL and the OSL?

  Both the GPL (General Public License) and the OSL (Open Software License) are open-source licences. The GPL is the most common licence used by open-source platforms like WordPress. The OSL is another open-source licence that may apply to certain items or components. Where applicable, the relevant open-source licence text will be included with the item download.