In this episode of The WP Minute, Brian Coords and I unpacked Matt Mullenweg's recent interview at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 with Connie Loizos.
What struck me most was how this wasn't just another tech conference appearance - it was a deep dive into the ongoing controversy between Automattic and WP Engine. The interview revealed several surprising details, including how Automattic was "kicked out" as an investor in WP Engine in 2018 during the Silver Lake acquisition, and the potential for this legal battle to stretch into 2026-2027.
https://youtu.be/Bq_Gny09JzU
Connie's interviewing style was refreshingly direct, pushing for clarity on issues that many in the WordPress community have been afraid to address. She repeatedly pressed Matt on the 8% revenue request and the criteria for determining when a company has crossed the line with trademark usage.
While Matt was open about many aspects, some key questions remained unanswered, particularly about the specific threshold that would trigger similar actions against other WordPress-based businesses.
Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:
Be cautious with WordPress/WP branding in your business name
Consider your contribution strategy to the WordPress ecosystem
Stay aware of the distinction between wordpress.org and WordPress Foundation
Monitor how this might affect plugin repository policies
Keep an eye on trademark usage guidelines
Consider diversifying your business strategy beyond WordPress-dependent branding
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