This is very good news that you want to do something with marketplace of plugins/themes. As you know, we’ve talked about it several times, so also for us it’s very important and awaited change.
First of all, we have doubts about rules related with existing plugins. If vendor has 10 plugins, deadline is ok. But what about vendors who has 50/60 and more extensions? It will consume the most of the working days in January. What about rest of duties that vendors do each day, like projects, new development? Product description changes won’t bring vendors money, but require big efforts. It’s not about the cosmetic change, so in our opinion, the time in which we should adapt our products has to be longer than one month.
The second part is related with themes. What is the reason to get PSD files? Since when a PSD file is required to create a template? For example, our Bootstrap Theme
http://theme24.nopcommerce.pl/ - this template costs 49$, creating a PSD files would never return invested money, when it is very simple template! Each template should have demo to check it’s work. If you want to do tests, you will be able to do them with demo and admin access. If you have test scenario for templates, share them with community, it will be easier for each developer to make tests before submission. In our opinion, it will reduce the number of rejected themes.
As New York noticed, we don’t understand the requirement about sharing source code of plugins. To check the quality of the plugin, it’s enough to provide trial version. It should show the work of the plugin. To provide source code we must have a confidentiality agreement and a legal prohibition of distribution or sharing. The provided guarantee should also apply to the fact that the nopCommerce won’t use them in the general project fully or in parts without the author's consent.
In fact, as long as you don’t sell the extensions, access to the source code does not guarantee that customer won’t get virus/malware etc. Because vendors can upload anything they want on their websites. So the question is why do you need the source code? Of course we agree with fact that detailed description, documentation and free trial is required. Possibility to show plugins’ work via Skype or TeamViewer shouldn’t be accepted. And again, do you have test procedures for the plugins? If so, please share them with community. As I noticed in the theme verification section, if we have knowledge about test procedures, we will be able to reduce issues before engaging you into the plugin approval.
PS. By the way, I’m impressed that you want to eliminate the vast majority of extensions on marketplace.. Changes should be introduced slowly and gradually. Currently, after February 1, 80% of plugins and themes should disappear from the marketplace.