Main issue: A merchant’s store was shut down because a developer used an unlicensed (pirated) theme. They want to know how to verify theme legality when hiring a developer again.
Key clarification: Theme licenses are granted only when a theme is purchased directly on that specific store. Copying theme files from another store does not transfer the license; the new store must complete its own purchase.
Recommended actions:
Status: Guidance provided on licensing and next steps; outcome pending the merchant’s follow-up with support depending on the developer’s status. No final resolution yet.
Few months ago I started a store and hired a developer to develop my store. He develop it according to my need and it was done it was amazing website but after few days my store got shut because the theme he used was not purchased by legal means and now I am not able to contact that developer again.
That’s the past if I hire a developer again and he develops the store for me how would I know if the theme he used is pirated or not cause I don’t want to get in trouble again.
Hi there, @daphimo . Thank you for taking the time to reach out to the Shopify Community with details around this situation with your store and theme. My name is Imogen. It’s good to meet you.
A store is granted a theme license when a theme has been purchased on that store directly. This means that even if you purchase the theme on one store, and copy those theme files and upload them to a new store, that new store will still need to complete a purchase of the theme in order to have a license to use it. I hope you find this information helpful!
Was the developer that assisted you with your store a Shopify Expert, or someone you found via a third party platform like Fiverr? If they were a Shopify Expert, then I recommend reaching out to our Authenticated Support Team so we can collect some information from you regarding this situation.