The internet is in turmoil as two major US companies, WordPress and WP Engine, are locked in a bitter dispute that is affecting thousands of businesses worldwide. WordPress, which powers 40% of the world’s websites, has accused WP Engine of failing to contribute to the maintenance of its open-source code, leading to a ban on the company from using key parts of WordPress.
Tricia Fox, who manages about 70 websites, is one of the many businesses caught in the crossfire. She is facing uncertainty and extra costs as a result of the fallout between the two companies. Fox is considering migrating her websites to a different host, a decision that could cost her tens of thousands of pounds over the next few years.
The dispute has also entered the courtroom, with WordPress.org seeking control over its trademarks and WP Engine filing a legal case against WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and Automattic. The legal battle has escalated, with WP Engine claiming it is losing business and potential customers due to the uncertainty over its future access to WordPress products.
The ripple effect of this dispute is being felt by businesses and individuals worldwide, highlighting the importance of open-source principles in the online economy. As the two companies continue to clash, the future of thousands of websites hangs in the balance.
