=== WordPress Forced License Downloader (WFLD) ===
Contributors: Zanphar
Stable tag: 1.0.0
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GNU GPLv2
License URI: https://charlieware.com/licenses/wfld-license.txt
Enforce compliance and protect your assets. Force users to accept a license agreement before downloading files, while preventing direct hotlinking.
== Description ==
WordPress Forced License Downloader (WFLD) is a security and compliance utility for WordPress designed to gate downloadable content behind an explicit license agreement screen. It ensures that visitors and members must review and accept your terms before gaining access to files, making it an essential tool for distributing software binaries, legal documents, digital products, and media.
The plugin features a robust administrative interface with a built-in inline help system to guide configuration. To safeguard your intellectual property and infrastructure, WFLD utilizes file-path obfuscation techniques that mask the true location of your assets, effectively mitigating the risk of unauthorized direct hotlinking and bandwidth theft.
= Key Features =
- Out-of-the-Box Templates: Equipped with several standard license agreements available immediately for a streamlined deployment.
- Total Content Control: Complete flexibility to alter, change, modify, or remove license agreements to align with your specific legal or proprietary terms.
- Inline Guidance: An integrated, contextual help system that explains settings, features, and workflows directly within the admin dashboard as you go.
- Asset Obfuscation: Conceals the real server paths of documentation, images, products, software, and videos to prevent hotlinking and unauthorized external sharing.
== Installation ==
1. Upload the `wordpress-forced-license-downloader` folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory, or install directly through the WordPress admin panel.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
3. Navigate to the **WFLD Settings** page in your dashboard to configure your global download rules.
4. Select or customize your preferred license agreements and configure your protected download paths.
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
= How does the file obfuscation work? =
WFLD intercepts the download request, verifies that the license agreement has been accepted in the user session, and streams the file chunks directly via PHP. The true directory path on your server is never exposed to the client.
= Can I use my own custom proprietary license? =
Yes. While the plugin includes several standard templates out of the box, you have full control to alter, rewrite, or completely replace the text with your own custom terms.
= Does this prevent people from sharing the downloaded file later? =
This plugin secures your server infrastructure from direct hotlinking and ensures a compliance check happens *at the point of download*. Once a user saves the file locally, further distribution falls under the legal boundaries established by the license agreement they accepted.
== Screenshots ==
1. /assets/screenshot-1.png – The global settings panel displaying available license templates and the inline help blocks.
2. /assets/screenshot-2.png – The front-end user experience showing the mandatory license acceptance screen before a download initiates.
== Changelog ==
= 2.1.0 =
* Initial release of WordPress Forced License Downloader (WFLD).
* Integrated pre-configured license templates.
* Implemented file path obfuscation and basic hotlink prevention mechanisms.
* Added contextual administrative inline help system.
The following download button is a real-time example, and allows you to download the WordPress plugin so you can use on your own site.