Yes - Development Help, Yes - Documentation, and License - Library: Yes/No - should be available but independent of Symbiostock, so the project isn't dragged into any legal issues that might arise.

I don't know what Licensing Must Be Addressed actually means? SYS software, image licenses, like RM or Editorial or what?

Hmm, did I hit a language barrier here. Is the question a Uniform license between linked sites? That's something different from a mandated license. Anyone who understands, can you explain? I was reading it as, each site is independent, so if someone has an issues, it should leave all the other sites and Leo harmless and not part of anything.

But if the question is, uniform licenses so a buyer can move from site to site and have the same expectations and understanding. That's different.

Which is it?

It's just way to large (too much to expect also) and complicated for one person. How can we find help for Leo? He delivered the baby and raised it to this point. Now someone needs to help make it grow and get socialized and educated. 

So, I'm trying to parse what Leo posted above and figure out what he's asking for. If I had to translate it, what I read is "I'm overwhelmed doing this by myself and need to bring in more help to keep the project going".

It seems that other than all the work we do on our own sites, the project needs:

1. One or two developers to work on the code on an ongoing basis:
    a. keeping up with WordPress updates
    b. finishing features
    c. adding new features

    To do any of the above, the current code needs some sort of documentation so other people can more easily work on it. Probably some sort of source code control system is needed - moving things from one person's computer to somewhere multiple people can access it and work

2. A few people to work on updating and adding to the documentation for getting new sites up and running. Amanda made a start, but that needs fleshing out and updating.

3. Setting up a library of licenses, FAQs, logos, marketing materials for sites to use, possibly including some rules or guidelines on use.

I'm not sure how substantive the worries are about each site having its own licensing terms are. In the time I've been selling stock, I've been aware of a number of lawsuits but it's almost always been over content in an image, not over anything to do with a license.

Anything else?

First - I'm going to rewrite Symbiostock entirely, making a HUGE provision for documentation. http://codex.wordpress.org/ is autogenerated from a comment system right within wordpress's code. I can do the same thing and make a Symbiostock codex, allowing coders to come in without tripping.

what will this mean for current symbiostock sites?  what will the transition involve?

Second, in this rewrite, I'm going to get rid of most of the bugs by removing features that are not needed, by rewriting functions to be a little more flexible, and making the system as a whole slightly more modular.

what are these features?  before diving in, it would be helpful to have a discussion of possible changes and approaches;  there may be alternatives that are even better than the first ideas.  better to design  first, before coding makes it so much harder to make changes

as part of these changes will you be using the same database? if not, the database really needs an extensive re-design for searching, editing and tracking uses

finally, the 1-2 month estimate is unlikely to be realistic, and no matter how carefully designed & coded, there will be bugs, so it's important to involve testing at an early stage.  again design here is important -- the overall structure should be put in place first, since that's where most problems arise.  the details of how a particular feature functions can be left for later

Can someone please explain what "Licensing Must be Addressed"  means?

This comment completely lost me:

Basically: "use our standard licenses or you will not be a part of the network and won't be allowed to use the brand "Symbiostock", but you can still use and adapt the theme".

I can understand if he doesn't package a license and that leaves him out of potential litigation. Offering a standard "approved" license might complicate that separation. Very understandable.

I can understand the all different part too, as a buyer moves from site to site, and finds, each one has a different license. Confusing, complicated could be a negative.

I still don't understand this part at all? MarcvsTvllivs "use our standard licenses or you will not be a part of the network and won't be allowed to use the brand "Symbiostock", but you can still use and adapt the theme".

Leo was concerned that all of us - and he - could be exposing ourselves to liability by having licenses that were (a) all different and (b) mostly not drafted or approved by lawyers. I think he decided after some comments from site owners that it probably wasn't quite as dire as he'd first feared

Quote from: Uncle Pete on November 21, 2013, 21:32

I can understand the all different part too, as a buyer moves from site to site, and finds, each one has a different license. Confusing, complicated could be a negative.

I don't really like to compare Symbiostock to the major microstock sites (since I believe that the customers are very different), but the same is true of them as well.  A license on IS is different than SS which is different than DT which is different than FT which is different than 123RF, ad infinitum.

Very good post.. In fact, It's so good that it would easily summarize a book named "Licensing for dummies.."

This issue has been pointlessly brought up over and over again and discussed way more than it needed to be discussed..

Honestly, since the beginning, I don't get what's all the fuss about?? Everybody is responsible for their own sites.. Full Stop..

I assumed he was getting some sort of affiliate kickback from Bluehost.  Is that not the case then?  I doubt it would be very substantial anyway, certainly not a good hourly rate for the time he has put in.