The makers and takers of WordPress

Automattic vs. WP Engine

And now we’ve the battle over WordPress, between Automattic and WP Engine, two WordPress internet hosting corporations. I’m not aware of all the small print, and I don’t need to get into the personalities concerned or make judgments about particular actions taken, however it’s fairly clear that Automattic is a Maker and WP Engine is a Taker. That’s, Automattic is serious about “making” WordPress, i.e. constructing and contributing to the WordPress venture, and WP Engine is serious about “taking” WordPress, i.e. utilizing the free software program to generate income from WordPress internet hosting companies. 

It’s not a violation of the WordPress license (GPLv2) to do what WP Engine is doing. It’s completely authorized. The truth is, “taking” has been extremely inspired from the very begin of the open-source motion. In any case, sharing software program, and benefiting from shared software program, was the entire thought. Free use of software program was a fascinating final result of the GPL, although the writers of the license most likely didn’t foresee the size of cloud internet hosting and the big sums of cash that will be concerned.

Automattic has taken authorized motion in opposition to WP Engine over trademark violations regarding using the identify WordPress. (Apparently, the best to make use of the WordPress trademark for business functions is owned by Automattic.) Definitely, the WordPress trademark has worth. I’m not a lawyer, so I don’t know a lot about how emblems work, however I do perceive the notion of open supply. It’s in no way stunning to me that many individuals who’ve contributed to open-source software program get upset when others take their “child” and use it to make money.