If you’ve been following the recent WordPress news, you may have heard that WP Engine (a WordPress hosting provider) is suing Automattic, and the inventor of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg.
This article will discuss what this means and how it impacts you, as a WordPress website owner.
TLDR; In our opinion, there is no reason to be concerned and switch to another platform just yet. However, if you want to explore other options and have concerns, partner with a company like Clio Websites. We can advise you on the best course of action that can help you meet your business goals and keep your website secure.
Let’s dive in and explain how this may impact you as a WordPress website owner.
Table of Contents
What is WordPress
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 43% of all websites on the internet. Originally launched in 2003 as a simple platform for creating blogs, it has since evolved into a flexible tool for building all kinds of websites, from small business sites to large e-commerce stores.
One of the key reasons WordPress is so widely used is its community, thriving plugin ecosystem, and low total cost of ownership. Even those with little to no technical knowledge can easily create and manage their website. It offers thousands of customizable themes and plugins that allow users to add features like contact forms, online stores, and more without writing code.
The difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com
While they share the same name, WordPress.org and WordPress.com are two different platforms that serve different purposes, and this tends to get a bit confusing. Understanding the difference between the two is important, especially in the context of this lawsuit.
WordPress.org is the more popular open-source version of WordPress. Hosting providers like WP Engine, sell server space and specialized solutions to host this open source version of WordPress.
WordPress.com is the commercial version of WordPress, hosted and sold by Automattic.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both platforms, but the open source self-hosted version (wordpress.org) is the much more popular version of WordPress. Companies like WP Engine, GoDaddy, and others, sell specialized solutions for hosting this version of WordPress. With a market share of 43% of all websites on the internet, this is a huge and lucrative industry.
What is open source?
Open source is a type of software that is free to use, modify, and share. This means that the source code—the building blocks of the software—is made available to anyone. Developers can view how the software is built, make changes, improve it, or create new versions.
WordPress is open source, under the GPL license (more on this below). This has allowed thousands of developers from around the globe to contribute to its growth and improvement over the years. They’ve built new features, fixed bugs, and created plugins and themes that make WordPress more powerful and flexible for everyone.
What is GPL?
WordPress is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This license is one of the most widely used for open-source software and is designed to ensure that WordPress remains free and accessible to everyone.
Here’s what the GPL means:
- Freedom to use: Anyone can download, install, and use WordPress for any purpose, whether it’s for a personal blog or a large business website, without paying for a license.
- Freedom to modify: You can change or customize the WordPress code however you like to suit your needs. This is great for businesses that want to tailor their site’s functionality or appearance.
- Freedom to distribute: If you modify WordPress, you’re free to share your version with others. Whether you’re sharing a customized theme or a brand-new feature, the GPL ensures that you can distribute those changes.
- Freedom to contribute: If you improve WordPress, you’re encouraged (but not required) to contribute those improvements back to the larger WordPress community. This helps WordPress continue to evolve and benefit everyone.
The GPL license is a big reason why WordPress has grown into such a powerful and flexible platform. It ensures that WordPress remains an open, collaborative project that anyone can contribute to or benefit from, without being restricted by proprietary limitations.
How did the lawsuit start?
While there is a lot of speculation on the exact events that took place, nobody other than Automattic and WP Engine has the full details of everything that transpired before the lawsuit.
What we do know is that Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, and the founder of Automattic, used his 2024 WordCamp US presentation to attack WP Engine for not contributing enough resources to the development of WordPress.
Matt also accused WP Engine of misusing the WordPress trademark and confusing users with their branding. Even though WordPress is an open source solution, Automattic owns several trademarks, such as the WordPress name, which was enforced. Technically speaking, companies are not allowed to use the name WordPress in their advertising and product promotion.
This all transpired quite publicly and led to the current lawsuit by WP Engine against Automattic and Matt Mullenweg.
I know what you are thinking, if WordPress is open source and free to use by anyone, why does WP Engine (or anyone) have to contribute to the project? The short answer is that no one is forced to contribute anything to the project to use it, but the long answer is more nuanced.
Some argue that the success of WordPress is mainly due to community contributions that Matt Mullenweg is championing and that without support from big companies that profit from the project, the platform would not be as popular or as widely used.
Key Players in this lawsuit
Here are some of the key players in this lawsuit that are mentioned in this article.
Who is Automattic
Automattic is the company behind some of the most popular tools and services on the web, including WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and more. Founded in 2005 by Matt Mullenweg, one of the co-founders of WordPress, Automattic plays a key role in the WordPress ecosystem.
Automattic is best known for operating WordPress.com, a hosted version of WordPress that makes it easy for anyone to create a website without needing to worry about hosting, maintenance, or software updates.
In addition to WordPress.com, the company has developed several other products that integrate with WordPress, such as WooCommerce (for e-commerce) and Jetpack (for site performance and security).
Who is Matt Mullenweg
Matt Mullenweg is an influential figure in the tech world, best known as the co-creator of WordPress, the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world. In 2003, he collaborated with fellow developer Mike Little to create the open-source software, which has since become a cornerstone of web development, powering millions of websites globally.
In 2005, Mullenweg founded Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and other key WordPress-related tools.
Who is WP Engine
WP Engine is one of the leading managed WordPress hosting providers, offering specialized web hosting services specifically tailored for WordPress websites. Founded in 2010 by Jason Cohen, the company focuses on providing high-performance, secure, and reliable hosting solutions for businesses, developers, and agencies using WordPress.
How does this affect me as a WordPress website owner?
As a WordPress website owner, this won’t affect you, unless you using WP Engine or Flywheel hosting. Customers using one of these two hosting providers have experienced issues updating their WordPress version, plugins, and themes, but a workaround has been developed to avoid further issues. Website owners can also manually update all of these components by downloading them from the WordPress.org plugin directory (plugins), and WordPress.org website (version updates), and uploading them to your website.
If you’re a Clio Websites customer, we also have tools to update these components on your behalf, so you will continue to be secure and supported even if you are using one of these providers.
This update issue also doesn’t affect any business owners who are hosted with other providers such as SiteGround, Kinsta, and Cloudways. If you want to learn more about hosting options, here is our list of recommended hosting providers.
To reiterate, the current lawsuit will not affect any business owners unless they are using WP Engine or Flywheel for their hosting. But even if you are, there are workarounds in place and if you partner with a company like Clio Websites, you have no reason to worry.
What can I do to protect my business from the latest WordPress uncertainty?
Uncertainty is never a good thing when you’re running a business. You want your website to remain secure, fast, and to continue to support your business goals. Your website should be an asset and not a liability.
While we feel that this current rift in the WordPress space should not cause concern for business owners, it certainly doesn’t help anyone using the platform.
When lawsuits or uncertainties arise around key players in the WordPress ecosystem—like the ongoing one involving WP Engine and Automattic—it’s understandable that businesses using WordPress might feel a little anxious. However, there’s no need to panic, as WordPress itself remains stable and widely supported. Still, it’s wise for businesses to take proactive steps to protect themselves and minimize any potential risks.
Here are a few ways that you can protect yourself against the latest WordPress uncertainty:
Own Your Website Assets
One of the major benefits of WordPress is that it’s open source, meaning you fully own your website’s content, design, and code. Make sure you are in control of key assets like your domain name, website files, and any customizations or plugins you use.
Having regular backups of your site is essential, ensuring that if there are any disruptions, you can easily migrate or restore your website. Our maintenance clients enjoy daily cloud backups, so this is never a concern.
Choose Reliable Hosting Providers
While WP Engine and Automattic are trusted names, there are many other reputable hosting companies that specialize in WordPress. Consider choosing a hosting provider that has a proven track record of stability, uptime, and security.
If you’re worried about platform-specific issues, choosing a host that’s independent of any companies directly involved in the lawsuit can offer additional peace of mind. We recommend SiteGround, Kinsta, or Cloudways.
Diversify Your Plugins and Tools
WordPress allows businesses to add all kinds of functionality through plugins, many of which are provided by third-party developers. If you rely heavily on plugins or tools associated with a company involved in legal disputes, consider finding alternative plugins or services that serve a similar purpose. This will give you more flexibility if a company or product is disrupted.
WP Engine owns several popular plugins such as Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and WP Migrate and in recent news, WordPress took over ACF and created its own version called Secure Custom Fields. It’s always a good idea to partner with a knowledgeable and experienced company like Clio Websites to help you manage plugin risk and implement alternatives.
Stay Updated on Legal News and WordPress Developments
Keep an eye on developments in the WordPress community and legal cases that could impact the platform. Staying informed will help you react quickly if any significant changes occur. Joining forums, subscribing to WordPress news sites, or being involved in user groups can help you get early insights into potential issues.
Work with a WordPress Professional
If you’re not comfortable managing technical aspects of your website, consider working with a WordPress developer or agency. They can help you navigate changes, choose the best tools for your site, and ensure your business is prepared for any platform-related challenges. Professionals can also guide you through switching hosting providers, adjusting plugins, or managing updates if needed.
We have been managing and building WordPress websites since 2011. We have a lot of experience with other solutions and CMSs like Webflow and Wix Studio. There are plenty of other options to choose from if you are concerned or if you need to switch.
Consider a Contingency Plan
Lastly, it’s smart to have a contingency plan in place. This doesn’t mean abandoning WordPress, but it’s a good idea to know how you would handle a worst-case scenario. Regular backups, an understanding of alternative CMS platforms, and a list of trusted WordPress professionals can help you stay agile, even in uncertain times.
WP Engine sues Automattic – Bottom Line
While the lawsuit between WP Engine and Automattic is causing some anxiety, WordPress as a platform remains robust and secure.
By taking these steps, businesses can confidently continue using WordPress without worrying too much about outside disruptions, ensuring their online presence stays strong, regardless of platform uncertainties.
How Clio Websites can help
Here at Clio Websites, we love WordPress. We have been maintaining and developing WordPress websites since 2011. We have a ton of experience delivering all kinds of WordPress projects and we support several hundred websites every month.
We hope that our article helped clear some of the confusion behind this WordPress related lawsuit and put you at ease.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please get in touch with us.
