Matt Mullenweg: Claiming Ownership of WordPress.org

WordPress Under Siege: Matt Mullenweg Takes Charge

In recent weeks, WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has made it evident that he wields significant influence over the future of WordPress. As the head of WordPress.com and its parent company Automattic, Mullenweg oversees not only the commercial side of WordPress but also the open-source project hosted at WordPress.org. Additionally, he leads the nonprofit foundation responsible for controlling the WordPress trademark.

The Conflict with WP Engine

Mullenweg's battle is particularly evident in his ongoing feud with WP Engine, a third-party WordPress hosting service. According to Mullenweg, this rivalry blurs the lines between the various entities supporting the WordPress ecosystem, which powers nearly half of the internet.

The Nature of the Conflict

During an interview with The Verge, Mullenweg stated, "WordPress.org just belongs to me personally." However, he emphasized that he does not want to promote a company that threatens him legally and misuses the WordPress trademark. He has accused WP Engine of not investing enough in the open-source ecosystem and has implied that the hosting firm may have manipulated the WooCommerce plugin to generate revenue unfairly.

The Trademark Debate

At the heart of Mullenweg's argument is the claim that WP Engine infringes on Automattic's trademark rights. He expressed concern about the commercial success of WP Engine, alleging that the company makes significant profits from WordPress while contributing minimally to the open-source community.

Pressure Campaign Against WP Engine

Mullenweg has launched a public pressure campaign against WP Engine, urging users to "vote with your wallet" and cease supporting the service. His strong statements include referring to WP Engine as a "cancer" to the WordPress ecosystem and taking measures to block WP Engine's access from WordPress.org's servers, impacting its customers' ability to install themes, plugins, and updates.

The Ramifications for the Open-Source Community

The situation raises critical questions about the responsibilities of companies benefiting from open-source projects. Mullenweg acknowledged that while WordPress remains open-source with no legal obligations for contributions, successful projects should ideally give back to the community.

Proposed Solutions and Lawsuits

To resolve the dispute, Automattic proposed a deal requiring WP Engine to pay an 8% fee on revenue for using WordPress trademarks. However, Mullenweg has deemed this offer off the table due to WP Engine’s actions, which he described as behavior lacking in integrity.

In response, WP Engine has filed a lawsuit accusing Mullenweg and Automattic of extortion, claiming they attempted to capitalize on the disruption caused by the dispute. They allege Mullenweg threatened a "nuclear approach" when negotiations broke down.

Concerns Over Corporate Control

The lawsuit sheds light on potential overreach by Mullenweg, as WP Engine claims his conduct indicates a conflict of interest due to his multiple roles within the WordPress Foundation and Automattic. Automattic has labeled the lawsuit as baseless and insists that the allegations are mischaracterizations.

The Future of WordPress

Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Mullenweg has established himself as a dominant figure in the WordPress landscape. His conflict with WP Engine not only complicates the relationship between open-source and commercial interests but also raises pressing questions about the governance of the WordPress ecosystem.

As the saga unfolds, the WordPress community watches closely, concerned about the implications of Mullenweg's power play that could reshape the future of this beloved platform.