If I understand it correctly, the core of the dispute is trademark and that WPEngine somehow implies WordPress affiliation.
I can see both sides of the story here, but the scorched earth strategy doesn't seem to be very effective for building trust
I can see both sides of the story here, but the scorched earth strategy doesn't seem to be very effective for building trust
This IS a violent breach of consumer/user trust. Whatever you thought before of this takeover/stealing, this is what trust gone looks like.
No, the core of the dispute is Matt wants either money from WP Engine or for them to contribute to WordPress. He's using the trademark as leverage. However, their usage of WordPress does not imply affiliation instead saying stuff "We bring WordPress to the masses".
The use of WP in their name was them actually following WordPress' trademark policy where they asked people not to use WordPress in their names but WP.
But absolutely nothing about a trademark dispute excuses the lies, unethical behavior, and just downright personal animus Mullenweg is pouring into this takedown.
https://x.com/TDKibru/status/1845178985308881146/ https://archive.is/sjuHl
Ironically, Automattic is actively taking legal action against a premium plugin reseller for trademark infringement on modified WooCommerce plugins: https://www.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1fqw2eh/automatt...