ravenscott-blog/markdown/The Missteps of WordPress and Automattic: A Looming Threat to the Community.md

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Tensions between WordPress and WP Engine are raising concerns about the future of WordPress and its open-source values.

## The Beginning
In recent days, the actions of WordPress.org and Automattic have raised serious concerns about the future of the open-source WordPress project and its relationship with developers, hosting providers, and users. While these entities claim to act in the best interests of the community, their recent choices have the potential to backfire, undermining trust, and pushing developers and web hosts to seek alternatives.

In this article, I will break down my thoughts on why the decisions made by WordPress and Automattic are not only detrimental but may ultimately erode their dominance within the content management system (CMS) space.

## The False Promise of Open Source
WordPress has long been championed as the beacon of open-source software. Its extensive ecosystem, flexibility, and community-driven development have made it one of the most popular CMS platforms globally. However, as Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce, gains more influence, it appears the open-source spirit is taking a back seat to corporate interests. This shift can have disastrous effects on the community at large.

Automattic’s insistence on enforcing the WordPress trademark is one example of this. WP Engine, a popular managed hosting provider, has come under fire from Automattic for allegedly misleading users by using "WP" in its name. WordPress.org’s recent updates to its **trademark policy** even go so far as to imply WP Engine is purposefully confusing users into thinking they are officially affiliated with WordPress. This aggressive trademark enforcement sets a dangerous precedent.

## Alienating Developers and Hosts
At its core, WordPress thrives because of the vast network of developers and hosts who build, extend, and support it. Automattic’s growing tendency to view these third-party contributors as competitors is counterproductive and could spell the beginning of an exodus of talent from the platform.

WP Engine is just one case. Many developers and hosts contribute back to WordPress by creating themes, plugins, and infrastructure that power millions of websites. These contributions are integral to the success of the CMS, yet the heavy-handed approach Automattic is taking suggests they see themselves as the sole proprietors of WordPress. They even went so far as to criticize WP Engine for only contributing **40 hours a week** compared to Automattic’s **3,915 hours**, further intensifying the divide between corporate entities and independent contributors.

## Cutting Off Access to Resources
One of the most troubling developments is WordPress.org’s decision to block WP Engine from accessing core resources on their platform. This move will likely affect WP Engine customers, leaving them without the critical infrastructure that WordPress.org provides. In essence, WordPress is asking WP Engine to replicate its entire infrastructure independently, including updates, security patches, directories, and more. This isn't just a blow to WP Engine—it's a disservice to the broader WordPress community that relies on these hosts.

Rather than working collaboratively with WP Engine to address concerns, WordPress.org has chosen to cut them off, effectively penalizing their users. These customers, who are already invested in the platform, will likely reconsider their allegiance to WordPress if the services they rely on degrade in quality.

## The Slippery Slope of Monopolizing Contributions
Another major issue is Automattic’s increasing monopolization of contributions to WordPress. With their vast resources, they contribute an overwhelming share of hours to WordPress development. At first glance, this may seem like a positive. However, the imbalance of power means that Automattic is setting the agenda, steering the project to benefit its business model. This reduces the influence of independent developers and contributors and risks stagnating the diversity of ideas that have historically fueled the platform’s growth.

This shift in dynamics could cause independent developers, who have built their livelihoods around WordPress, to feel sidelined or neglected. If their contributions are increasingly seen as insignificant or undervalued compared to Automattic’s overwhelming presence, they may stop contributing altogether, further consolidating control in the hands of a single entity.

## The Community’s Growing Distrust
For years, the WordPress community has prided itself on its openness, inclusivity, and ability to foster innovation from all corners of the world. Automattic’s actions, however, appear to be fracturing this community. The “scorched earth” approach taken by Automattic’s leadership—demanding exorbitant sums of money from competitors and discrediting them in public forums—reeks of corporate greed.

## What Lies Ahead?
The trajectory Automattic and WordPress are on is unsustainable. By alienating core developers, web hosts, and their own user base, they risk driving away the very people who built WordPress into the powerhouse it is today.

The open-source nature of WordPress has always been its strength, allowing developers, designers, and users to collaborate and innovate freely. However, when a single entity exerts too much control, it undermines the core principles of the platform and forces people to seek alternatives. This is already happening, with some developers opting for platforms like **Joomla**, **Drupal**, **GHOST** or even building their own CMS from scratch to regain control over their content and infrastructure.

If Automattic continues to push forward with this “nuclear” approach, it may backfire spectacularly. What was once a thriving and vibrant community could fragment, with disgruntled developers and hosts breaking off to create new alternatives, leaving WordPress a shell of its former self.

## In the Eyes of the Community
The recent feud between WordPress and WP Engine has sparked widespread frustration and disappointment within the WordPress community. Users across platforms, including Reddit, have expressed a strong sentiment that WordPress and Automattic's actions are misguided, damaging, and ultimately harmful to the broader ecosystem. Here’s a summary of the community’s key concerns and reactions:

### Confusion and Fear of Overreach
Many users are concerned about the heavy-handed use of trademark enforcement, particularly the targeting of WP Engine for using "WP" in their branding. This has caused confusion and worry, as several other businesses in the WordPress space—such as WPForms, WP Rocket, and WP Astra—also use "WP" in their names. The fear is that these businesses could also become targets, leading to a chilling effect across the ecosystem. Users feel that Automattic's efforts to control the narrative around "WP" are excessive and could hurt smaller businesses in the space.

### Alienation of Developers and Web Hosts
A significant portion of the community views Automattic’s approach as an attempt to consolidate control over WordPress at the expense of the open-source community. Some see this as Automattic using its power to extract money from competitors like WP Engine while diminishing contributions from those companies. This has led to a sense of alienation, with many expressing that Automattic's actions are pushing away developers and web hosts that have supported and contributed to WordPress for years.

### Disruption to Businesses and Users
The most immediate impact has been the disruption to WP Engine users, many of whom are now unable to update plugins and themes on their sites. This has caused a cascade of issues for businesses that rely on WP Engine for hosting, leading to frustration and even legal threats. Users who manage numerous websites on WP Engine have been left in a difficult position, having to explain the situation to clients and stakeholders.

### Disappointment with Leadership
The community has voiced strong criticism of Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic, for his handling of the situation. Many see his actions as unprofessional, childish, and damaging to WordPress’s reputation. Comparisons have been made to figures like Elon Musk, with users noting that this "scorched earth" approach is unbecoming of a leader in an open-source project. Some are even calling for Mullenweg to step down or be removed from his leadership role, as they fear his personal vendetta is undermining the integrity of WordPress.

### Calls for a Fork
In light of these events, some community members are seriously considering forking WordPress. What once seemed like an extreme option now feels like a necessary step to preserve the spirit of open source. Users are discussing the possibility of creating a version of WordPress free from Automattic’s influence, where contributions are not dictated by a single company. This potential fork is seen as a way to return to the values that originally made WordPress successful.

## My Final Thoughts Thus Far
Automattic and WordPress.org must take a step back and consider the long-term consequences of their actions. A CMS platform is only as strong as the community that supports it. If they continue down this path of alienation and control, they will erode the foundation that has allowed WordPress to dominate the market for over a decade.

The WordPress community has always thrived on collaboration and shared success. By prioritizing corporate interests over the collective good, Automattic is at risk of turning WordPress into a product, rather than a project. And when that happens, developers, hosts, and users alike will be forced to ask themselves: Is WordPress still worth it?

The time for course correction is now.

# UPDATE 9.27
## Matt Mullenweg Talks About WordPress Situation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6F0PgMcKWM

### Community Sentiment Update

The impromptu interview with Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic, has sparked widespread debate and a mix of emotions in the WordPress community. Matt's appearance was unexpected, leading to an unrehearsed discussion where he addressed a range of concerns, particularly surrounding the ongoing trademark disputes with WP Engine. The comment section of the video reveals a deepening divide within the community, as many users express frustration, confusion, and skepticism regarding both the handling of WordPress's trademark policies and Matt’s responses during the interview. 

### Concerns About Trademark Enforcement and Legal Strategy

One of the core issues brought up in the interview is Automattic’s aggressive enforcement of the WordPress trademark, particularly against WP Engine, a prominent managed hosting provider. While many in the community believe WP Engine has built a successful business around the open-source CMS, Automattic’s insistence on contribution requirements has led to accusations of overreach. 

For example, one user, @distilledmark, expressed concern that Matt’s stance could signal a shift in the WordPress ecosystem, where any company using “WP” in their name could become a target for trademark enforcement. Another commenter, @sodapoppug, pointed out the irony of trademark disputes over the use of "WP," noting how “saying 'WP' seems to defeat the purpose of speaking in acronyms since it’s twice as many syllables as just saying 'WordPress.’” This playful jab reflects a broader sentiment that the enforcement seems heavy-handed and unnecessary, especially when smaller businesses have been using "WP" in good faith for years without issue.

This concern is amplified by @nephatrine’s comment, which underscores how WP Engine’s branding may confuse users into thinking they are affiliated with the core WordPress project. The fear that Automattic’s legal actions may extend beyond WP Engine is echoed by many commenters, including @SoreBrain, who admits that they initially thought WP Engine was an official part of WordPress. This shows the confusion that exists within the community regarding the relationships between various WordPress-related companies.

### Community Frustration Over Matt’s Responses

Throughout the interview, many viewers felt that Matt failed to provide clear, fact-based answers to critical questions, often deflecting or giving vague responses. One commenter, @maxdayton614, criticized Matt for relying too much on emotional appeals rather than presenting concrete evidence. They noted that most of Matt’s arguments seemed to be based on personal frustration, such as his claim that WP Engine hasn’t contributed enough hours or money to WordPress. They wrote, “Almost every answer was emotionally charged. 'I’m the one committing to open source' or 'Look at all of the companies in good standing with me.'” This sentiment was echoed by others who were disappointed in the lack of legal documentation or hard evidence presented during the interview.

Another user, @rafalfaro, took a more critical stance, stating, “It should've been damage control, but he doubled down instead,” referring to Matt’s decision to continue pushing his point rather than acknowledging the potential faults in his legal strategy. This approach led to several comments questioning whether Matt was being entirely forthright during the interview. @datguy4104 added, “Around 11 minutes in, he says ‘Yeah, it’s open-source, you can do what you want with it,’ then at 15:15 refers to altering the Stripe plugin as ‘hacking’ it. He is very careful about using specific language to paint WP Engine as the bad guy.”

For some viewers, the lack of specificity was a major issue. @rns10 highlighted this by writing, “There is no definitive evidence in front of the public that what WP Engine is doing is wrong. Matt is going from a perspective of keeping his word, but without any written communication, WP Engine’s lawyers will chew him out.” This reflects a growing concern among the community that Matt’s personal frustrations are driving the legal battle, rather than a solid legal foundation.

### Ethical vs. Legal Obligations

Many commenters discussed the broader ethical implications of the situation, with some agreeing that WP Engine, as a highly profitable company, should be contributing more to the WordPress ecosystem. However, the method of enforcing this contribution through legal threats and trademark enforcement was seen as problematic. 

@shableep raised an insightful point, arguing that while Matt may be ethically correct in believing that companies profiting from WordPress should contribute, the way Automattic has managed these situations feels coercive. They wrote, “At what level of revenue must you hit before you have to contribute or risk having the trademark enforced? Hosts are at the whim of when Matt decides enough is enough, and they must contribute. […] I think the way he’s been managing it by nudging these companies in the ‘right direction’ but asking for fees or contributions and it leading to an ‘or else’ conversation is probably, technically, extortion, even if his heart is in the right place.”

Other users like @roadrunner2324 attempted to summarize Matt’s stance: “Everyone is allowed to use the WP trademark, but if your company is making half a billion in revenue, and your huge base of clients consumes the official WordPress endpoints, then they would like you to pay for their license OR pay that amount in hours/contribution to the core to make the platform better for everyone.”

This comment captures the frustration many feel about the blurred lines between WordPress’s open-source nature and the business side of Automattic’s trademark policies. It highlights the delicate balance between open-source values and corporate realities—something that many users believe Matt is mishandling.

### Calls for Greater Transparency and Communication

A recurring theme in the comment section was the demand for more transparency and clearer guidelines from Automattic. Many viewers pointed out that the lack of clarity surrounding contribution requirements and trademark enforcement has caused confusion and fear within the community. @geoffl commented, “Matt needs to give clear guidelines on when/how he will ask for contributions from hosting companies. That will reduce consumer uncertainty on whether they will have access to plugins.”

The broader WordPress community seems unsure of where Automattic draws the line between companies that need to contribute and those that do not. @mauricioac added a general piece of advice about business dealings, saying, “Something I learned a long time ago after getting backstabbed: never make verbal agreements. Always, ALWAYS, have written records.” This sentiment reinforces the idea that Matt’s informal approach to business dealings with companies like WP Engine could come back to haunt him in court.

### The Risk of Alienating the WordPress Ecosystem

Another significant concern is the potential long-term damage to the WordPress ecosystem if this issue continues to escalate. Commenters like @UODZU-P expressed frustration that WP Engine customers were already being affected by the trademark dispute. They wrote, “We are now looking to migrate 20+ sites off WPE to something else because we can’t receive security updates due to him going ‘scorched earth.’ So now I’m looking to abandon WP from my tech stack altogether.”

This highlights a critical issue for Automattic: by taking legal action against a major player like WP Engine, they risk alienating the very community that has made WordPress successful. Many users expressed concern that similar actions could be taken against other hosting companies, leading to an exodus of developers, businesses, and users from the platform.

### Conclusion: A Divided Community

Overall, the community sentiment following the interview with Matt Mullenweg reflects a growing divide between Automattic’s leadership and the broader WordPress community. While some users support Matt’s ethical stance, many are concerned about the legal strategies being employed and the potential fallout for the WordPress ecosystem. The lack of clear communication, the emotional nature of Matt’s responses, and the perceived coercion of companies like WP Engine have left many users feeling uneasy about the future of WordPress.

As one user, @sluffmo, summed it up: “All he’s achieved is showing the WP community that one immature, greedy dude throwing a tantrum can screw up their site without warning. Who cares about WP Engine? Time to pick another CMS.” This comment encapsulates the risk Automattic faces if they continue down this path—alienating the very developers and users who have built their success.

## Sources

- [WordPress.org: WP Engine is not WordPress](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/09/wp-engine/)
- [WP Engine Cease and Desist Letter](https://wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Cease-and-Desist-Letter-to-Automattic-and-Request-to-Preserve-Documents-Sent.pdf)
- [WordPress Trademark Policy Changes (Archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20240924024555/https://wordpressfoundation.org/trademark-policy/)
- [WordPress Foundation: Trademark Policy](https://wordpressfoundation.org/trademark-policy/)
- [Reddit Discussion: WordPress Trademark Policy](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1foknoq/the_wordpress_foundation_trademark_policy_was/?share_id=pDvacXlhttDifEUjnc5tq)
- [Reddit Discussion: WP Engine Plugin Repository Inaccessibility](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1fpeqn2/plugin_repository_inaccessible_to_wp_engine/)
- [WordPress.org: WP Engine Banned](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/09/wp-engine-banned/)