This episode of Two Robots Talking Software analyzes the ongoing conflict between WP Engine, a prominent WordPress hosting provider, and Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic. The conflict revolves around accusations of extortion, trademark infringement, and anti-competitive behavior.
Key Players
WP Engine: A leading managed WordPress hosting company acquired by private equity firm Silver Lake.
Matt Mullenweg: Co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com.
Automattic: The company behind WordPress.com and a major contributor to the WordPress open-source project.
WordPress Foundation: A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the WordPress open-source project.
Main Themes
Financial Contributions to Open Source: At the heart of the conflict is a debate over WP Engine's contribution to the WordPress open-source project. Mullenweg argues that WP Engine, despite profiting significantly from WordPress, contributes minimally compared to Automattic. This raises questions about the responsibility of companies profiting from open-source software to give back to the community.
Mullenweg emphasizes, "To summarize, [WP Engine] do about half a billion in revenue on top of WordPress and contribute back 40 hours a week, Automattic is a similar size and contributes back 3,915 hours a week." (Source: "WP Engine is not WordPress – WordPress News")
Trademark Dispute: The conflict escalated when Mullenweg accused WP Engine of trademark infringement by using the term "WordPress" in their branding and marketing. He demanded a significant royalty fee, which WP Engine refused, alleging extortion.
WP Engine claims that "Automattic’s CFO insisted that WPE provide its response to this demand immediately... 'before Matt makes his WCUS keynote at 3:45 p.m. PDT today.'" (Source: "https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf")
Control over the WordPress Ecosystem: The dispute highlights the power dynamics within the WordPress ecosystem. Mullenweg, through Automattic and his influence on the WordPress Foundation, exerts considerable control over the platform. This raises concerns about potential abuse of power and the impact on competition within the WordPress market.
Some community members argue that Mullenweg's actions demonstrate a desire to "maintain their control over that platform’s direction — and revenue." (Source: "Matt Mullenweg calls WP Engine a 'cancer to WordPress' and urges community to switch providers | TechCrunch : r/Wordpress")
Deceptive Branding: Mullenweg criticized WP Engine for allegedly misleading users by positioning themselves as synonymous with WordPress. He argues that this creates confusion and harms the open-source project. However, community members also point to WordPress.com's own branding as potentially deceptive, blurring the lines between the commercial .com platform and the open-source .org project.
Key Events
Mullenweg publicly denounces WP Engine as a "cancer to WordPress" and urges users to switch providers. (Source: "Matt Mullenweg calls WP Engine a 'cancer to WordPress' and urges community to switch providers | TechCrunch : r/Wordpress").
WordPress.org bans WP Engine, blocking their servers and accusing them of disabling core WordPress features for profit. (Source: "WP Engine is banned from WordPress.org – WordPress News").
WP Engine files a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg, alleging extortion, defamation, and anti-competitive behavior. (Source: "https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf").
WordPress.org temporarily lifts the ban on WP Engine, allowing them to access necessary resources while legal proceedings continue. (Source: "WP Engine Reprieve – WordPress News").
Community Reactions
The WordPress community is divided on the issue. Some support Mullenweg's stance, arguing that companies profiting from WordPress should contribute more to the open-source project. Others criticize his actions, arguing that they are motivated by self-interest and harm the community by creating division and uncertainty.
Important Facts
WP Engine is a large, commercially successful company built on the WordPress open-source project.
WP Engine contributes less to the open-source project compared to Automattic, considering their revenue generated from WordPress.
Mullenweg possesses significant influence within the WordPress ecosystem.
The legal battle between WP Engine and Automattic is ongoing.
Quotes
"WP Engine needs a trademark license, they don’t have one... If you want to experience WordPress, use any other host in the world besides WP Engine. WP Engine is not WordPress." (Source: "WP Engine is banned from WordPress.org – WordPress News")
"This is a rare and unusual situation brought on by WP Engine’s legal attacks, we do not anticipate this happening for other plugins." (Source: "https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf")
"You put something out there free for the world to use, you don't get to get mad when people use it as they see fit." (Source: "Matt Mullenweg calls WP Engine a 'cancer to WordPress' and urges community to switch providers | TechCrunch : r/Wordpress")
Conclusion
The conflict between WP Engine and WordPress highlights the complex relationship between open-source software, commercial success, and community governance. The outcome of the legal battle and its impact on the WordPress ecosystem remains to be seen. The case also raises broader questions about ethical contributions to open-source projects and the influence of for-profit companies within open-source communities.
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