WordPress Evolution in 2025: Conflicts, Forecast, and Implications for Users
In a dramatic turn of events, the tech world has been abuzz with the ongoing legal battle between Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, and WP Engine. The controversy erupted in September 2024, when Mullenweg publicly criticized WP Engine during WordCamp US, labelling the company a 'cancer to WordPress.'
At the heart of the dispute is the allegation that WP Engine, which reportedly profits $450 million annually from WordPress, contributes only about $100,000 back to its development. The controversy also involved accusations of profiting off WordPress and WooCommerce trademarks without contributing back to the ecosystem.
The fallout was immediate, with WP Engine being banned from WordPress.org resources. The legal conflict escalated, with both sides exchanging threatening letters. However, as of September 2025, a federal court dismissed several of WP Engine's major claims, and the company was ordered to amend its complaint within 21 days of September 12, 2025. The court also ruled that WP Engine's access to WordPress.org must be restored, and Automattic must roll back any restrictions imposed on WP Engine customers.
Despite the drama, WordPress remains protected under the GNU Public License, ensuring its freedom to use, study, modify, and share. This open-source nature, coupled with its stability and widespread adoption, has not been altered by the controversy.
Meanwhile, agencies like KOTA, a company that builds WordPress websites, have remained unaffected by the drama. KOTA, which operates its own in-house hosting platform and partners with Kinsta for managed hosting, analyses project requirements to recommend the optimal CMS. Whether it's WordPress, Statamic, Storyblok, or another headless CMS, KOTA does not push a single solution for CMS selection.
The right CMS can significantly impact project timelines by streamlining development. Functional requirements aligning with a specific CMS are key factors in CMS selection. If multiple viable CMS options exist, KOTA outlines their pros and cons to aid clients in making informed decisions. Regulatory and compliance needs are also factors that influence CMS selection, particularly for industries with strict security and data policies.
It's important to note that KOTA remains platform-agnostic, choosing the best CMS for each project without favouring one over others. Customer preference can also influence CMS selection due to familiarity or internal policies.
The unfolding drama between Mullenweg and WP Engine has been extensively documented on a dedicated website, wpvswpe.report, offering a detailed timeline of events. Some CMS options have licensing fees, while others are open-source, making the CMS selection process a crucial part of every project at KOTA.
Every project at KOTA starts with a CMS discovery process to determine the best platform for the project's needs. The legal battle between Mullenweg and WP Engine is ongoing and could stretch into 2027 or beyond. As the story continues to unfold, WordPress and its associated ecosystem continue to thrive, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of open-source software.
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