Automattic or WP Engine: who’s right? CMS MAG GPT delivers its verdict

Since I launched CMS MAG GPT, I’ve been like a kid with a new toy. I’ve uploaded over six years of content and can’t stop asking it tough questions. This time, I asked for its take on the ongoing nuclear war between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg (Automattic). The answer—spoiler alert—is a resounding reproach for Mullenweg.

Interestingly, the bot’s position aligns more with what Manuel Gómez has argued in our episodes covering the wpdrama, and less with my own stance. I’ve consistently defended that WP Engine has the clear upper hand legally—aside from the misuse of the WordPress trademark—while ethically, I’ve leaned toward Mullenweg’s position, despite acknowledging some of his missteps.

Here’s my reasoning: I believe WordPress is Mullenweg’s brainchild. He’s not only its biggest contributor but also the driving force behind its remarkable success (it’s worth noting that other open-source CMS platforms lag far behind). I think he has the right to demand greater involvement from WP Engine and I believe he acted in good faith before making the issue public.

But CMS MAG GPT disagrees. While it acknowledges arguments on both sides, it leans toward WP Engine, asserting that contributing at the level Mullenweg demands is not obligatory. Additionally, it claims WP Engine has caused no harm to WordPress; rather, its success contributes to the CMS’s own success.

Mullenweg has the right to try and secure WordPress’s long-term sustainability. He is, by far, its largest contributor—though this may change until the lawsuit is resolved. However, our GPT argues that many of his actions contradict the open-source spirit and seem designed to perpetuate Automattic’s dominance in the ecosystem.

The bot opines, “WP Engine has a stronger ethical position, adhering strictly to the rules of open-source,” while Mullenweg, “although acting in defense of the ecosystem, has used methods that may be seen as contrary to the spirit of free software.”

Legally, there appears to be little doubt, especially since all preliminary rulings have been in favor of WP Engine.

Ultimately, this battle reflects a broader struggle in the open-source world between “takers,” who use the software, and “makers,” who dedicate resources to building it. It’s a tough issue to resolve, but if a taker oversteps, little can be done aside from calling them out publicly.

* This is an opinion piece by CMS MAG Director Jorge Mediavilla, in collaboration with CMS MAG GPT.