The drama for WordPress took another level today after free open source website content hosting software WordPress.org banned website hosting provider WPEngine from accessing its resources. WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg wrote in a post on WordPress.org that WPEngine was unable to access the platform’s resources, such as themes and plugins, until they filed a legal claim.
"WPEngine wants to control your WordPress experience, and they need to run their own user login system, update server, plugin directory, theme directory, pattern directory, blocks directory, translations, photo directory, job board, meetups, conferences, bug tracker, forums, Slack, ping-o-matic, and presentation. Their servers are no longer free to access our servers," he said.
Mullenweg added on the blog: "WPEngine is free to provide customers with hacked, privatized mock versions of WordPress's GPLed code, where customers can experience WordPress as WPEngine envisioned, with all profits and all services provided."
Therefore, websites using the WPEngine solution cannot install plugins or update themes.
As some WordPress developers and supporters pointed out, WordPress.org blocked WPEngine and also prevented its customers from accessing security updates, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. In a status board showing the service status, WPEngine acknowledged the issue and said the company was working on a fix.
"WordPress.org has disabled WPEngine customers from updating and installing plugins and themes through WP Management. Currently, this will not affect the performance, reliability, or security of your site, nor will it affect your ability to update your code or content."
WPEngine vs. Automattic/WordPress Battle
WordPress powers nearly 40% of the websites on the Internet through different hosting providers, including Mullenweg’s Automattic and WPEngine. Users can also run their own websites using this open source project, but many opt for a plug-and-play solution.
The fight began last week, when Mullenweg berated WPEngine, calling it "the cancer of WordPress." He also said that the company, which has annual revenue of nearly $500 million, is not contributing to the WordPress community.
Earlier this week, WPEngine sent a cease-and-desist letter to Mullenweg and Automattic, asking them to withdraw their comments, sparking a legal battle. The letter also stated that Mullenweg threatened WPEngine to either pay or resort to "scorched earth nuclear war."
A day later, Automattic sent a cease-and-desist letter to WPEngine, accusing it of infringing on WordPress and WooCommerce trademarks.
In addition, the WordPress Foundation also claimed that WPEngine infringed its trademark rights.
"WPEngine violated the WordPress Trademark Policy. This policy states that no one may use the WordPress trademark as part of a product, program, service, domain name, or company name. WPEngine has violated this policy multiple times, and the cease and desist letter sent to them by Automattic provides some examples of the many violations," the foundation said in an email.
The policy was updated yesterday to include WPEngine's example and note that they use WP to confuse customers. It is worth noting that the trademark policy does not cover the trademark "WP"