Company claiming "bulk" or "volume" license for my theme?

I’m working with someone that took over running a website using one of my themes. The site was developed by another company so they contacted the developer for the License ID to get support forum access. The company said they purchased it under a “bulk” or “volume” license and could not give them the License ID.

When I heard this I told the webmaster it was a lie as no such license existed. The closest thing is the Extended license, which doesn’t cover this and I’ve never sold one for this item. I assumed an illegal copy of the theme was used and told the webmaster to press the developer for purchase verification or a receipt.

The original developer is a large media company and that makes me question this situation even more. I suppose what I’m trying to figure out is could this be a side deal with Envato under the “contact us” section of the license and if so how would the sales have been shown or credited? Right now I’m operating under the belief that the company simply bought a single copy and used it a bunch of times thinking no one would ever know. I’m just hoping for a little feedback before moving forward. Thanks.

Maybe they bought a Bundle?

KingDog said
Maybe they bought a Bundle?

This still grants them only 1 standard license…

There could be no side deal with Envato because you’re the copyright holder and regular license is the only one you’re obliged to accept as an author here.

Imho, they’re just talking crap.

This item was never in a bundle, and like kriskorn said that doesn’t give them multiple use or anything to explain not providing a purchase verification to the new webmaster.

According to the new webmaster, this is the company that built the site: http://www.gannett.com/

Parallelus said
According to the new webmaster, this is the company that built the site: http://www.gannett.com/

If they can’t provide the necessary information and did use a standard license for multiple web sites, then I’d go big with them, if this is a possibility for you.

Kris

I have no idea how many sites they built with the theme. Personally I don’t care, but if they won’t provide the license to the site owner they have no way to get my support, updates, etc. Also, I find it very cryptic for them to claim it was a bulk license. The terms (as I understand them) transfer the license to the site owner if it’s built by a developer upon turning the site over. If they won’t give them the license is that a violation of the terms?

Right now I’m operating under the belief that the company simply bought a single copy and used it a bunch of times thinking no one would ever know.

That would probably be my guess as well.

The amount of people who ask for support and mention they’re using the theme on multiple websites is too damn high. And when i tell them it’s a single use licence they disappear.