The Open-Source Struggle: How WordPress's Internal Meltdown Could Reshape the Internet

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The Meltdown of WordPress: How Internal Drama Could Reshape the Internet

The company that invented blogging, WordPress, is facing what some see as a self-destruction event. Over the past month, internal drama within WordPress and its parent company Automattic has spilt into the public domain, creating chaos for the millions of websites that rely on its open-source platform.

WordPress, a content management system (CMS) that allows users with no coding experience to run websites, is one of the most widely used platforms globally. It powers 43% of all websites, including those of NASA, the White House, and Harvard University. It has long been celebrated for its role in democratising information, providing a transparent and collaborative space for developers. However, a power struggle at its core is now threatening to alter the fabric of the internet.

The Power Struggle: Mullenweg vs WP Engine

At the centre of the conflict is Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, the commercial entity that runs the WordPress platform. Automattic, valued at $7.5 billion in 2021, provides a range of services, including ad management and website security. Its primary competitor is WP Engine (WPE), a company that Mullenweg has accused of exploiting WordPress technology without contributing to its development.

In September 2024, Mullenweg escalated the dispute by calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress,” accusing the company of profiting off the platform to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars while failing to contribute to its research and development. He went so far as to ban WP Engine from accessing WordPress, a move that rendered numerous websites unusable and vulnerable to cyberattacks. Although this ban was temporarily lifted for four days, it was soon reinstated.

In retaliation, WP Engine sued Automattic and Mullenweg on October 3, alleging abuse of power. WP Engine argued that Automattic had violated the open-source principles on which WordPress is built by restricting their access. That same day, a significant event occurred within Automattic: 159 employees resigned after Mullenweg offered severance packages to those who disagreed with his decisions. A staggering 80% of those who left had worked directly on WordPress.

Open Source Ideals at Stake

At the core of this dispute is a conflict over open-source principles. Mullenweg and Automattic argue that WP Engine profits from WordPress without giving back to the platform. In a blog post, Mullenweg described WP Engine as a leech, taking advantage of the WordPress ecosystem without contributing to its development.

To clarify what WordPress represents, Mullenweg proposed changes to the WordPress trademark. He claimed that WP Engine’s use of "WP" in its name confused users and allowed the company to generate billions in revenue from the WordPress platform. In an effort to resolve this, Mullenweg demanded that WP Engine hand over 8% of its annual revenue to Automattic. This demand, part of a broader set of non-negotiable terms, sparked a backlash from prominent figures in the software community. David Hansson, creator of Ruby on Rails, called it a “violation of general open-source ideals.”

This has led to widespread concern among developers, many of whom fear that Mullenweg’s approach could lead to further restrictions on the use of WordPress. Automattic has been changing the rules around its trademark, and developers have yet to receive clarification on whether or not they are allowed to use the term “WordPress” in their own projects.

The Broader Implications for the Internet

The conflict between Mullenweg and WP Engine has broader implications beyond these two companies. WordPress is a pillar of the internet; any disruption to its open-source infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences. If Automattic is allowed to continue exerting control over the platform, it could signal the end of open-source freedoms that have long been part of the WordPress ethos.

Developers are concerned that Automattic's “weaponisation” of its trademark could result in unpredictable changes, leaving them vulnerable to bans or legal action. This echoes similar concerns from other open-source platforms, such as Reddit, which began charging for access to its application programming interface (API) in 2023. That decision led to widespread boycotts and backlash from users who saw the move as a violation of Reddit's open-source foundations.

Now, Automattic faces a similar dilemma: allow other entities like WP Engine to profit off of WordPress, or change the governance model to favour the originator, which could undermine the core purpose of WordPress itself. This decision is critical, as the future of 43% of the internet is at stake.

Open-Source Controversies: Beyond WordPress

The battle over open-source ideals is not confined to WordPress. Across the tech industry, other platforms and organisations have faced similar controversies as they try to balance the ethos of open-source with growing commercial pressures. A prime example is Reddit, which faced a massive backlash in 2023 when it began charging for access to its application programming interface (API), a tool that developers use to interact with Reddit's data. Many saw this move as a betrayal of Reddit’s community-driven roots, resulting in widespread boycotts and protests by Redditors who felt the decision went against the platform’s open-source philosophy.

Similarly, OpenAI, the organisation behind popular AI tools like ChatGPT, has shifted from being an open-source entity to a more closed and commercially focused one. This transition has sparked concerns within the developer community, as many believe OpenAI is leveraging its early open-source contributions to build proprietary, profit-driven technologies. These instances illustrate a broader tension in the tech world: the conflict between maintaining open, collaborative ecosystems and the financial pressures driving companies to monetise their platforms. Like WordPress, these examples show how open-source platforms face critical crossroads in their governance and sustainability.

Conclusion: The Future of WordPress and Open Source

The ongoing power struggle within WordPress represents more than just a corporate feud; it is a reflection of the growing tension between open-source ideals and commercial interests. On one side, open-source projects are intended to be free and collaborative, fostering innovation through unrestricted access. On the other, companies like Automattic seek to protect their financial interests by controlling how their platforms are used.

If Mullenweg and Automattic succeed in tightening their grip on WordPress, it could set a dangerous precedent for other open-source projects. The battle for the future of WordPress could define the future of the open-source movement and, by extension, the freedom and accessibility of the internet.