WordPress, the world’s most popular open-source content management system, has been a cornerstone of the internet for nearly two decades. It also happens to be a foundational aspect of our business at Tenaya360. However, recent legal disputes involving Automattic, the company behind WordPress, and its co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, are creating serious uncertainty about the platform’s long-term future.
A Brewing Legal Storm
It all started in late 2024 when WP Engine, a major managed WordPress hosting provider, filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg. Allegations included attempted extortion and trademark infringement. This marked a major shift in the relationship between key players in the ecosystem.
The heart of the dispute involves WordPress.org’s access policies and trademark enforcement. Critics say these actions could compromise the platform’s open-source identity.
In December 2024, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in favor of WP Engine. This forced Automattic to lift restrictions that had blocked WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org resources. As a result, people started asking important questions about governance and control.
Governance and Power Concerns
The lawsuits have sparked deeper conversations within the community. Many argue that while WordPress promotes openness, too much control still sits with Automattic and Mullenweg.
Some in the community have suggested forming a Governance Oversight Board. The idea is to ensure decisions are made transparently and are not dominated by a single company or individual.
Public Statements and Ongoing Concerns
Matt Mullenweg has publicly acknowledged the potential consequences of these legal battles, cautioning that they could harm WordPress in ways that might lead to its decline or even closure. He emphasized that the litigation could drag on for years, placing financial and operational strain on Automattic and potentially disrupting the broader ecosystem of developers, hosting providers, and users who rely on the platform. As you can imagine, the shuttering of WordPress.org would wreak havoc on the internet, which is powered by nearly 50% of websites built with it.
This ongoing situation highlights deeper questions about the future of WordPress. Can the platform maintain its open-source philosophy while addressing governance challenges and legal risks? And what will these disputes mean for the millions of websites powered by WordPress today?
If WordPress.org were to shut down, it would severely disrupt the internet. Nearly half of all websites today rely on it.
The Path Forward
As the legal challenges unfold, they serve as a critical reminder of the importance of collaboration, transparency, and balance within the WordPress community. A more structured and inclusive governance model could be the key to preserving the platform’s core principles while addressing the complexities of operating in a competitive and litigious industry.
For our business and our customers, we will continue to monitor the situation and will have a migration plan in place in the unlikely event that WordPress shuts down. Until then, let’s keep growing those websites!
