In reply to Mike McAlister.

"your last paragraph implies that Anders’s desire to provide free themes is somehow potentially problematic for professional WordPress theme developers"

This is not what I was implying. The implication was that if free themes are too closely designed after commercial counterparts, there can be a conflict there, right? Releasing unique, free themes is great and I encourage developers to do it. I, too, spend time creating and supporting free themes on the WordPress.org repository.

"Even the tone and word choices (he is a “creative young lad”) count in such discussions; the latter comment seems condescending to me"

I'm sorry it seems that way, but it's not my intention. I think anyone familiar knows that my tone is generally encouraging and positive! It's unfortunate that it was read that way. I'm interested in having a positive, constructive discussion, I have no other intentions.