Matt Mullenweg: 'WordPress.org just belongs to me'
Matt Mullenweg asserts control over WordPress and is in a lawsuit with WP Engine over trademark infringement and inadequate support, raising concerns about the impact on the open-source community.
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Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, has asserted his control over the WordPress ecosystem, which includes WordPress.org, Automattic, and the WordPress Foundation. He has been engaged in a contentious dispute with WP Engine, a third-party hosting service, accusing it of not adequately supporting the open-source WordPress project and infringing on Automattic's trademark. Mullenweg has publicly criticized WP Engine for its lack of contributions to the WordPress Foundation and has taken steps to block WP Engine from accessing WordPress.org's servers. This conflict has escalated into a lawsuit, with WP Engine alleging extortion and corporate overreach by Mullenweg. The lawsuit claims that Mullenweg's actions reflect a conflict of interest due to his multiple roles within the WordPress ecosystem. Automattic has dismissed these allegations as baseless. Mullenweg's actions have raised concerns about the blurred lines between the open-source project and its commercial interests, potentially impacting the broader open-source community. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Mullenweg remains focused on ensuring the long-term health of WordPress.
- Matt Mullenweg claims ownership and control over WordPress.org and its related entities.
- A dispute with WP Engine has led to accusations of trademark infringement and inadequate support for the open-source project.
- The conflict has escalated into a lawsuit, with WP Engine alleging extortion and corporate overreach.
- Mullenweg has blocked WP Engine from WordPress.org's servers, affecting its customers' access to themes and plugins.
- Concerns have been raised about the implications of Mullenweg's actions on the open-source community.
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5 commentsWordpress Foundation is a shell org with no employees controlled entirely by Matt Mullenweg.
https://wordpressfoundation.org/about/financials/2023-financ...
The Wordpress Foundation has a subsidiary corporation called "WordPress Community Support" of which 88% of their income comes from event sponsorships. Of which WP Engine has been a top sponsor! They were a top sponsor at the event that Mullenweg (allegedly) extorted them at! https://us.wordcamp.org/2024/sponsors/
So either Matt Mullenweg is confused about which fake charity shell corporation WP Engine was supposed to be paying into, or he is outright lying.
Not the community.
Not some other biz / NPO entity.
"Me"??!?!
So that single Me can wake up and decide, "no more plugin and theme updates for ANYONE. This is my party and I can megalomaniac if I want to."?
I'm dumbfounded as to why there wasn't 100x more transparency on this, and related issues.
Danger Will Robinson. Danger.
The filing also includes a purported job offer from Mullenweg to WP Engine CEO Heather Brunner saying that if she declines to join Automattic, he’d tell the CEO of Silver Lake — the private equity firm that owns WP Engine. WP Engine referred us to the lawsuit when asked for comment.
Related
WP Engine Must Win
Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine at WordCamp US, urging users to stop using their services due to trademark disputes, which could threaten the open-source community and WordPress ecosystem's future.
WordPress Drama: From the Sidelines
Tensions between WP Engine and Automattic escalated into a legal dispute after Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine's contributions, leading to revoked API access and concerns about WordPress's future.
If WordPress is to survive, Matt Mullenweg must be removed
Matt Mullenweg faces criticism for pressuring WP Engine after a rejected licensing proposal, with calls for his removal from leadership due to concerns over ethical conduct affecting the WordPress community.
The messy WordPress drama, explained
Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine for exploiting the WordPress ecosystem, leading to legal threats and access restrictions for its customers, while the community remains divided over the implications for WordPress's future.
Mullenweg threatens corporate takeover of WP Engine
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has revoked an 8% licensing deal with WP Engine, criticizing its contributions to WordPress and hinting at a takeover, while WP Engine has responded with legal action.