The hidden WordPress license | anderegg.ca

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2024-09-28 15:00:05

I wrote about the WordPress vs. WP Engine drama a couple of days ago, but it’s still taking up space in my head. For better or worse, WordPress powers about half of the web. I care deeply about the web, and I think it’s being harmed by this nonsense.

Part of the reason is uncertainty. It seemingly started because Matt Mullenweg’s mother thought WP Engine was an official WordPress product. I don’t buy this, though. There are a few problems I have with trademark issues or brand confusion being the primary cause.

The other side of Mullenweg’s argument is that WP Engine isn’t “giving back enough”. This is a really squishy argument, and it makes me uncomfortable. WP Engine as a company supplies and maintains some key WordPress plugins and services like Advanced Custom Fields, WP Migrate, and Local. Advanced Custom Fields is installed on every WordPress site I’ve ever worked on 1. WP Migrate and Local are developer tools that make local development much easier. These are just examples, but I think they’re assets to the WordPress community.

Let’s say that Mullenweg is right, though, and WP Engine must do more for the WordPress community. OK, great: how much more? Should every company give a certain amount of time/money to WordPress or face Mullenweg’s displeasure? Is Mullenweg the sole arbiter of the amount given?