External Theme Updates

Hi

As we get some reports on fixing bugs sometimes we can fix them immediately. But it takes to long that the theme update request to get approved, so in this case we thought writing a simple app. (web app.) where users can download immediately latest updates from our themes.

The system will authenticate the user from it’s purchase code, and allow to download only Theme he bought.

But our concern is the TF rules violation.

Does TF allow such a thing ?

As far as I know, they don’t like this or maybe it wasn’t allowed in the past, I am not quite sure. But most of the authors use some kind of external updater for the speed reason.

What do you mean by “external updater” ?

I don’t see any reason why this would violate any of TF’s rules, as long as the persons has purchased the theme and they’re verified on your end there’s no problem sending the updated files with other outside methods, email, support site, automatic updater, etc…

@contempoinc well i think a reason could be the security of that app. they might think it is an in-secure way to re-distribute Envato property (because we are exclusive author).

It’s not, never has been or will be Envato’s property – you do not give up your rights as an author – it’s your file. Now, back on to your question, I do not see any issue with this against the current terms and conditions – you are not distributing to anyone outside of a confirmed purchase here through Envato’s marketplace as contempoinc mentioned.

Maybe for clarification you should send in the question to support so they can officially answer this for you and therefore have the reply on record in case anything arises.

Good luck!

Jonathan

I’ve contacted support.

And i would like to get other author’s opinion on this case ?

Do they need something similar to that ?

I am building something very similar to this for my own use. It’s simply too slow pushing updates to ThemeForest and not being able to notify customers of updates. I don’t see how this would violate any terms since it’s obviously in our mutual interest to verify all buyers.

I’d be very interested to hear what Envato support says on the issue.

This reminds me of a great idea i saw somebody had a while ago. Also in a forum post over here.

The idea was to create a trust system for authors and keeps track of approved updates of their existing items. The more approved updates you have, the more trust you gain.

And then simpley said, with 10 ‘trust points’ you’re free to update items at once, without the need of approval.

This seems a very nice feature for themeforest. They still could do random checks to see if updates are still following the guidelines and if not, trustpoints are gone and have to be earned again. I think this way in the end envato will have less work with updating approvals and still can keep a good eye on what’s being updated. After all, what good author wants to risk losing their trustpoints.

@ChapterThemes i think i wrote that article a week ago, because this way we’re not that much comfortable.