ButlerBlog

chad butler's weblog

  • About
  • Blog
  • WordPress Plugins
  • Contact

Archives for October 2010

New WP-Members updates in development

By Chad Butler 1 Comment

I am currently working on a list of updates for WP-Members 2.3.2 release.  If you have any requests, feel free to post here.

Note: I am always open to feature requests, but keep in mind, this will be a minor release so major updates are not going to make it in.  Also, PayPal integration is in development as a premium module, but a release target has yet to be set.

Here is the list as it stands (I’ll be updating as needed):

  • Fix notify admin new registration email – url field (currently it’s not including this)
  • Fix login failed message for sidebar widget
  • Fix login failed message for members area page

October 14 Update:

WP-Members 2.3.2 bug fix release has been published.  You can get it here.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: WP-Members Tagged With: plugins, WordPress, WP-Members

New Motivation

By Chad Butler 2 Comments

Let me begin by saying that I do love blogging.  I love what goes on behind the scenes of running a blog.  I love WordPress and tinkering with it.  Many of you are already aware that I have been working with WordPress since its infancy and have been blogging for a long time.  Unfortunately, real life gets in the way of my career as a blogger, freelance writer, and all-around Internet guru.

With the recent release of WordPress 3.0 and having recently read Darren Rouse’s book “Problogging” (and also having read his workbook – 30 Days to Build a Better Blog – which I highly recommend), I have a revived passion to come back to blogging.  I have several blogs in various stages of repair/disrepair (depending on your point of view).  It is time to get back to work on all of it, tie up loose ends, and get back to the grind.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: Blogging Tips, Web, WordPress Tagged With: blogging, plugins, WordPress

Statement regarding the use of the name WP-Members by others

By Chad Butler 11 Comments

Over the past year, I have become aware of a number of plugins using the name WP-Members (or a derivative thereof). This has come to my attention in the form of support issues posted in the wordpress.org forum and tagged wp-members. Often these are the result of unresponsive support and “buyer beware” issues, for example “[Plugin: WP-Members] Broken upon install — support not helpful — don’t buy.”

While that specific post has since been removed at the request of the original poster since it was not in fact referencing WP-Members, it makes evident a more important issue. The plugin this user was actually referencing was not mine, but rather a plugin called wp-Member, offered by SmartMediaPro, and this is not the first occurrence of such confusion.

The Original WP-Members

The original WP-Members is the plugin developed and released by me. It is maintained in the official WordPress Plugin Repository. It is both free and open source. If a user of the forums on wordpress.org tags their post wp-members it will be tagged to my plugin (and my attention). In contrast, these other plugins are commercial in nature and are not open source.  And they are using the same name or a derivative of WP-Members.

It is very clear that this amounts to what is known in trademark law as “confusing similarity.” A similar concept is “likelihood of confusion.”

Date of First Use in Commerce

My date of first use of the name WP-Members precedes that of these commercial vendors.  I have, where possible, referenced third party links for date claims. I find this to be more accurate and reliable than the time stamp on an individual blog.

When the original WP-Members plugin was released publicly, there were no other membership-focused plugins for WordPress of which I am aware, let alone any called WP-Members. ( read the May 31, 2006 beta release announcement | also documented by third party archive.org).  This predates the next earliest subscription/membership type plugin that I know of (WordPres-PayPal Membership) by 6 weeks.

It was first bookmarked on delicious.com on June 27, 2006. WP-Members was approved and added to the the official wordpress.org repository on 12/15/2007 as documented in WordPress’s subversion tracking.

Going Forward

I am doing what I can to create clear separation. Understand that I have absolutely no relationship with these vendors nor their plugins. Additionally, based what I have outlined above, I do not believe they have a legitimate claim to the name WP-Members.  In order to protect my interests and my good name, trademark registration of the name is pending.

Although a commercial, pro version is in development, The Original WP-Members will remain a free product. Both will continue to be open source.  If you didn’t get it from wordpress.org or butlerblog.com/wp-members, it is not the original.

Notes On Specific Products/Sites:

SmartMediaPro / wp-Member

In summary, I view SmartMediaPro to be infringing on our mark.  The biggest problem here is that it causes confusion with users in the marketplace and in the WordPress forums.  The official WP-Members is open source and free and is available here.

I have a full statement on the product known as wp-Member that can be read in its entirety here.

Infringement of the Mark to Fraudulently Sell Another Product

This one is more frustrating.  Caveat emptor! There is a specific person holding themselves out to be WP-Members under the following names that is actually fraudulently selling a version of YourMembers and calling it WP-Members. [Statement by Cambridge New Media Services] Please note that this person has absolutely no  association with me whatsoever.  Additionally, since the product is obviously a rip-off of someone else’s work, the plugin is not the same either:

* www.wpmembershipservice.com
* www.promembershipsite.com
* Possibly others

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: WP-Members Tagged With: plugins, WordPress, WP-Members

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Join Us!

I will never share your information. No spam. No junk. No kidding. Unsubscribe anytime.

Recent Posts:

  • YouTube Success: Key Tips for Enhancing Video Optimization and Visibility
  • Mobile App vs. Mobile Website Ideal Choice for your Business
  • Top Strategies to Boost Your Brand’s Visibility and Impact
  • Advanced Blogging Strategies: Using Analytics, A/B Testing, and Conversion Optimization Techniques to Grow Your Audience
  • Unlock Real-Time Process Insights to Save Time and Money
  • How Writers Can Attract More Audience Attention
  • Dress for Success – Even at Home
  • Mastering the Art of Crafting SMART Marketing Goals
  • Rediscover Your Brand Story: 7 Tips for Refreshing Your Company Identity
  • Creating Engaging Content: Tips for a Successful Content Marketing Strategy

Archives

  • About
  • Blog
  • Archive
  • Contact

Site powered by WordPress, running on the Genesis Framework from StudioPress.

Unless otherwise noted, content on this site is © 2006-2025 ButlerBlog and may not be reproduced without express written permission from the author.

Some content may include affiliate links for which this site receives a small commission.