gistfile1.txt

require_once( '../../wp-load.php' );

$args = array(
	'post_type' => 'edd_license',
	'showposts' => -1,
	's' => $_POST['email']
);
// The Query
$the_query = new WP_Query( $args );

// The Loop
if ( $the_query->have_posts() ) {
	$posts = $the_query->get_posts();
	$items = array();
	foreach ( $posts as $post ) {
		$item_name = $post->post_title;
		$items[] = substr( $item_name, 0, strrpos($item_name,' -') );
	}
	echo json_encode($items);

} else {
	// no posts found
}
/* Restore original Post Data */
wp_reset_postdata();