WordPress.org has recently lifted the ban on hosting provider WP Engine, which was in place until October 1. This ban had prevented several sites from updating their plug-ins and themes, leaving them vulnerable to potential security risks.
The conflict between WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine escalated due to WP Engine’s private equity investor, Silver Lake. Mullenweg expressed disappointment that WP Engine customers faced issues with updates and functionality due to decisions made by Silver Lake.
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Mullenweg announced that WP Engine was fully aware of the consequences when they disregarded efforts to resolve disputes and declined a commercial licensing agreement. This situation has put WP Engine’s customers at risk according to Mullenweg.
After Mullenweg restricted WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org resources, the community criticized the abrupt move which impacted numerous websites.
The ongoing conflict between Mullenweg and WP Engine has led to legal actions, with both parties sending cease-and-desist letters due to accusations of trademark infringement.
This dispute has broader implications for the WordPress ecosystem since WordPress is widely used for websites. Around 40% of websites are powered by WordPress, and this incident raises concerns for users about the future of the platform.
Recently, the WordPress Foundation applied for two new trademarks, “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress.” Developers and providers fear that these trademarks could be used against them if granted.
