Even if it is clear that the WordPress Theme has embedded links in it outside of the author/designer credit, many WordPress users are really unhappy to find such links in their Themes. The last thing you want is an unhappy blogger with a public blog. :D

I understand web designers wanting to make money from their designs, but WordPress Themes started out being free and used as promotional devices for designers, many whom have gone on to a full time design career, designing for WordPress users and not. I think of GPL WordPress Themes as a designers portfolio, spread around the blogosphere speaking well of the designer. After that, it’s up to the designer to market that into a full-time business.

I’ve seen an interesting trend in the past year of bloggers paying a designer to design their blog and then after a year or so, releasing the WordPress Theme to the public as they bring in their new look. This is a great “customer gift” and publicity stunt and spreads the “old look” out among bloggers who talk about their new WordPress Theme, pointing to the original blog – instant PR and trackback.