Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, recently expressed concerns that ongoing lawsuits could potentially lead to the shutdown of WordPress.org. He pointed out that the conflict he initiated may drag on for years, ultimately resulting in the closure of the platform.

Mullenweg suggested that the only way to resolve the situation would be for WP Engine to drop their lawsuit, which would allow him to resume his efforts to drive the company out of business. The situation has raised questions about the future of WordPress, with many concerned about the potential consequences of the prolonged legal battle.

In response, a long-time WordPress user, who has been contributing to the platform for over twelve years by publishing nearly 600 free WooCommerce tutorials and 500 newsletters, reached out to Mullenweg. They voiced their concerns, urging him to reconsider the impact his actions were having, highlighting that the ongoing conflict was creating instability within the WordPress community.

This plea reflects a broader sentiment within the WordPress user base, many of whom fear that the dispute could undermine the stability of the platform they rely on. The situation has sparked a wider conversation about the future of WordPress, its community, and the potential consequences of such legal battles on its long-term viability.

 

He tweeted:

“Dear
@photomatt,

We love WordPress. It’s not just software; it’s a livelihood for thousands of developers, freelancers, and small agencies. We don’t have millions like you do—every change, every piece of WPdrama costs us time, clients, and money.

We need stability. We need to focus on building, supporting, and growing businesses, not worrying about the next big upheaval or leadership conflict. Let’s move toward clarity, collaboration, and transparency.

Please consider pausing the current direction to listen. The community wants a strong future for WordPress—one where everyone, from volunteer contributors to top-level sponsors, can work together without fear of losing what we’ve built.

We don’t ask this lightly. Our livelihoods depend on it.

Thank you.”

 

Mullenweg Says Lawsuits Could Force Closure Of WordPress

Matt Mullenweg has firmly stated that the ongoing conflict with WP Engine can only be resolved if the company decides to drop its lawsuit, which was filed in response to the conflict he initiated. He made it clear that the only way to bring an end to the situation is for WP Engine to retract their legal action.

Mullenweg emphasised the importance of defending the long-term health of WordPress, stating, “Everything I’m doing is to defend the long-term health of WordPress.” He further clarified that the lawsuits could only be ended by WP Engine, as they were the ones who initiated the legal proceedings in the first place.

In a series of tweets, Mullenweg highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the lawsuits could drag on for years, potentially bankrupting him or even forcing the closure of WordPress.org. “The lawsuits will go years and could potentially bankrupt me or force the closure of WordPress.org. It also takes a huge amount of time — there is no ‘lawyers work on that,’” he tweeted, emphasising the personal and professional toll the legal battle has taken.

Mullenweg also indicated that the lawsuits could extend well into 2026 and 2027, making it difficult to predict the long-term consequences. “The cases will stretch into 26 and 27, so it’s hard to say what the environment will be or what the court will order,” he added. This uncertainty has left many in the WordPress community concerned about the platform’s future and the potential impact of this prolonged legal struggle.

 

Mullenweg’s Response Was Not Reassuring

Mullenweg’s recent post, which suggested that WP Engine’s defensive lawsuit could potentially shut down WordPress.org and drag on for multiple years, was met with criticism. One travel blogger even questioned, rhetorically, whether it would be wise to migrate to another content management system (CMS), highlighting the growing concern within the community.

For those hoping that the conflict initiated by Mullenweg might come to a swift conclusion, the latest developments were discouraging. Mullenweg appears to be indicating that the only way for the situation to be resolved is if WP Engine drops its lawsuit, thereby allowing him to resume his efforts to drive the company out of business. This stance has left many wondering how long the legal battle will continue.

The conflict took a significant turn when a federal judge ruled in favour of WP Engine, granting their request for a preliminary injunction to block Mullenweg’s actions against the company. The judge’s decision explicitly did not support the arguments put forth by Mullenweg’s legal team.

The judge stated: “Defendants’ arguments in opposition do not compel a different conclusion. Defendants’ argument that the interference WPEngine alleges consists of acts they had a right to take fares no better.”

In the ruling, the judge continued: “The conduct described at length above – including the termination of WPEngine’s access to WordPress, the interference with the ACF plugin, and the additional burdens imposed on WPEngine’s customers, such as the sign-in pledge – demonstrates that WPEngine has a significant interest in obtaining preliminary injunctive relief.”

Ultimately, the judge concluded: “Defendants’ arguments in opposition do not establish that they will suffer any damage that overrides WPEngine’s interest in obtaining relief. Requiring Defendants to restore access on those terms while this action proceeds imposes a minimal burden.” This ruling has further complicated the path to resolution, leaving many questioning the future of WordPress.org and the ongoing legal disputes.

 

Response On WP Drama Reddit Community Is Largely Negative

A discussion on Reddit surrounding Matt Mullenweg’s recent remarks about the potential closure of WordPress.org was predominantly negative. Many users expressed their concerns and frustrations about the situation.

One user remarked: “Probably the most shocking thing for me at this point is that no one seems to be able to talk some sense into Matt.” This sentiment seemed to echo the feeling that Mullenweg’s approach was misguided, with many questioning his decisions and the impact they could have on the future of WordPress.

Another user shared their plans to move away from WordPress, stating, “I’m personally moving my sites to either Drupal or ClassicPress, just haven’t decided yet.” This response reflected the growing disillusionment among some members of the WordPress community, with individuals seeking alternatives due to the ongoing conflict.

The impact of the legal battle also seemed to weigh heavily on users. One user commented, “I cannot imagine a worse fate than to be consumed by multiple multiyear, multimillion-dollar lawsuits. To say nothing of suffocating his baby, and alienating his fans, admirers, and loyal customers. Matt was in a position to just relax and enjoy his wealth and fame, but chose another path.”

Another user offered a perspective on Mullenweg’s options, stating, “He also had the option of slowly putting the squeeze on perceived ‘freeloaders’ like WP Engine and watch them squirm without recourse.” This comment reflected the belief that Mullenweg could have handled the situation more strategically, without resorting to drastic measures that could harm WordPress.

For some, the situation was viewed through the lens of competition. One user, identifying as part of a Drupal-focused agency, stated: “As a Drupal focused agency – this is just delicious.” However, they also expressed concern for the broader open-source community, adding, “As someone who cares about the sustainability of open source efforts and caring about all of my peers who make a living off of WP. It’s heartbreaking to watch Matt threaten BILLIONS of dollars of livelihoods like this.” This comment highlighted the wider implications of the conflict and its potential to damage not just WordPress, but the open-source ecosystem as a whole.

 

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