WordPress.com mum or dad firm Automattic is altering path… once more.
In a weblog put up titled “Returning to Core” printed Thursday night, Automattic introduced it should unpause its contributions to the WordPress challenge. That is regardless of having stated solely final month that the 6.8 WordPress launch could be the ultimate main launch for all of 2025.
“After pausing our contributions to regroup, rethink, and plan strategically, we’re able to press play once more and return totally to the WordPress challenge,” the brand new weblog put up states. “Look forward to finding our contributions throughout all the biggest hits — WordPress Core, Gutenberg, Playground, Openverse, and WordPress.org. This return is a second of pleasure for us because it’s about persevering with the mission we’ve all the time believed in: democratizing publishing for everybody, in every single place,” it reads.
Automattic says it’s discovered lots from the pause by way of the various methods WordPress is used, and that it’s now dedicated to serving to it “develop and thrive.”
The put up additionally notes that WordPress right this moment powers 43% of the net.
It’s unclear what has modified.
Nevertheless, in line with sources who spoke to TechCrunch, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg defined in an inner put up printed final evening that he desires to get a 6.9 launch out this 12 months with an admin refresh and one thing from the “new AI staff.” (The latter references this week’s announcement that WordPress shaped a brand new staff to steward the event of AI tasks.)
“I don’t assume that can occur with out our contributions,” the put up said, in line with a supply accustomed to the interior discussions.
Insiders are speculating there’s extra to it than that, and numerous theories are being floated. Some surprise if Mullenweg was pressured into this transfer or if he realized that pulling again wasn’t good for his enterprise or its repute? Others are debating if this variation of coronary heart has to do with Automattic’s ongoing litigation with WordPress’ internet hosting firm, WP Engine, which Automattic has known as a “menace” to the WordPress neighborhood and a “most cancers to WordPress.”
Nobody is aware of what to consider, and none of those backchannel theories line up with the formally said motive.
Automattic was requested for added remark.
Since 2024, Automattic has been engaged in a authorized dispute that has to do with how little, in Mullenweg’s opinion, WP Engine contributes to the WordPress challenge, regardless of its dimension and income.
He sees the internet hosting firm as profiting off the open supply work WordPress is doing with out giving again. Mullenweg additionally alleges that WP Engine advantages from the confusion between WordPress and industrial providers like WP Engine. This led him to ban the corporate from accessing WordPress.org and sue in court docket for unauthorized trademark utilization.
Merely put, Mullenweg thinks WP Engine ought to both pay a direct licensing price or up its contributions to the open supply WordPress challenge, or shouldn’t be allowed to make use of its trademark.
WP Engine responded that it doesn’t assume it wants a license and that Automattic misunderstands trademark regulation, suing Automattic in return.
Final month, Automattic laid off 16% of employees, saying the restructuring was essential to be extra agile and enhance its productiveness and profitability.
Sarah Perez might be reached at @sarahperez.01 on Sign and [email protected] .
