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  1. adrienne revised this gist Oct 21, 2024. 1 changed file with 6 additions and 1 deletion.
    7 changes: 6 additions & 1 deletion mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -171,7 +171,12 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ

    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugin from wordpress.com, but they expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)
    * The precise date is unknown, but sometime in the last two weeks the WordPress official development/community Slack was [upgraded from Pro to Business+](https://x.com/kellie/status/1847782000889122929), as spotted by Kellie Peterson. This is notable for a few reasons:
    * It represents a *significant* price increase (which is, per [the WordPress.org blog](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/thank-you-salesforce/), being completely donated by Salesforce
    * Unlike the Pro plan, the Business+ plan allows administrators to export *private messages* as well as public messages
    * The Business+ plan allows the use of SSO

    ## 20 October 2024

    * Mullenweg writes [an overwrought blog post alleging that WPE is violating his First Amendment rights](https://ma.tt/2024/10/first-amendment/) ([archived version here](https://archive.is/EWRpt), in case he deletes or edits it)
    * Mullenweg writes [an overwrought blog post alleging that WPE is violating his First Amendment rights](https://ma.tt/2024/10/first-amendment/) ([archived version here](https://archive.is/EWRpt), in case he deletes or edits it)
    * As reported [on Reddit](https://old.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1g8gizo/the_making_wordpress_slack_has_just_enabled/), the WordPress official Slack now enforces SSO using a wordpress.org account. This means anyone who does not have a .org account (or whose account has been disabled, or who cannot sign in because of the new loyalty checkbox) is now completely barred from using the development Slack as well.
  2. adrienne revised this gist Oct 21, 2024. 1 changed file with 5 additions and 1 deletion.
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    ## 19 October 2024

    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugin from wordpress.com, but they expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugin from wordpress.com, but they expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)

    ## 20 October 2024

    * Mullenweg writes [an overwrought blog post alleging that WPE is violating his First Amendment rights](https://ma.tt/2024/10/first-amendment/) ([archived version here](https://archive.is/EWRpt), in case he deletes or edits it)
  3. adrienne revised this gist Oct 20, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
    2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -170,4 +170,4 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ
    ## 19 October 2024

    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugins but also expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugin from wordpress.com, but they expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)
  4. adrienne revised this gist Oct 20, 2024. 1 changed file with 3 additions and 1 deletion.
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    * [WPE has been removed from sponsorship of an upcoming WordCamp](https://x.com/wordcampsyd/status/1845300662575263754?s=46) without prior consultation with the organizers of that event
    * The official WordPress Accessibility Team has [suspended all meetings](https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/2024/10/12/accessibility-team-meetings-suspended/) because the team leads cannot log into wordpress.org due to the login checkbox
    * Longtime core contributor Scott Clark is [ceasing all core contribution including work on the long-awaited core Fields API](https://github.com/sc0ttkclark/wordpress-fields-api) due to Mullenweg's actions
    * Company Very Good Plugins [sends Automattic a C&D letter](https://x.com/verygoodplugins/status/1845246925886353795) requesting the removal of their WP Fusion plugin from the **.com** repository (which is a copy of the **.org** repository, but is used to upsell people on the paid WordPress hosting plans). VGP has a registered trademark for "WP Fusion".

    ## 13 October 2024

    @@ -168,4 +169,5 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ

    ## 19 October 2024

    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very Good Plugins [posts that Automattic responded to their C&D from 12 October](https://wpfusion.com/business/regarding-our-cease-and-desist-letter-to-automattic/). They took down the plugins but also expressly state in their reply that this was a courtesy, and that "Automattic disagrees with your assertions that it has infringed the intellectual property rights of Very Good Plugins, LLC. The listing uses the WPFUSION trademark solely and only to the extent necessary to identify the genuine WPFUSION plugin, which constitutes nominative fair use under applicable law." (Alert readers may note the irony here.)
  5. adrienne revised this gist Oct 20, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
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    @@ -168,4 +168,4 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ

    ## 19 October 2024

    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion seeking to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
  6. adrienne revised this gist Oct 20, 2024. 1 changed file with 3 additions and 2 deletions.
    5 changes: 3 additions & 2 deletions mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -163,8 +163,9 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes.
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
    * WP Engine [files an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * Blog AntiMattic is reporting (based on leaked Slack conversations) that [Mullenweg is planning to poach WPE employees and also failing to immediately honor the new 9-month buyout offer for some employees](https://antimattic.net/index.php/2024/10/19/get-the-f-out-baby-please-dont-go/), suggesting that "⁠I’ll work on an official statement. Probably after we do the hiring offer for WPE employees." and "That may be awkward for someone who DM’d and will have a later last day (could be next year, even), but my priority is people staying, not people leaving."


    ## 19 October 2024

    * Blog AntiMattic is reporting (based on leaked Slack conversations) that [Mullenweg is planning to poach WPE employees and also failing to immediately honor the new 9-month buyout offer for some employees](https://antimattic.net/index.php/2024/10/19/get-the-f-out-baby-please-dont-go/), suggesting that "⁠I’ll work on an official statement. Probably after we do the hiring offer for WPE employees." and "That may be awkward for someone who DM’d and will have a later last day (could be next year, even), but my priority is people staying, not people leaving."
    * Very late last night, WP Engine [filed an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
  7. adrienne revised this gist Oct 20, 2024. 1 changed file with 5 additions and 1 deletion.
    6 changes: 5 additions & 1 deletion mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -163,4 +163,8 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes.
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
    * WP Engine [files an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
    * WP Engine [files an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.

    ## 19 October 2024

    * Blog AntiMattic is reporting (based on leaked Slack conversations) that [Mullenweg is planning to poach WPE employees and also failing to immediately honor the new 9-month buyout offer for some employees](https://antimattic.net/index.php/2024/10/19/get-the-f-out-baby-please-dont-go/), suggesting that "⁠I’ll work on an official statement. Probably after we do the hiring offer for WPE employees." and "That may be awkward for someone who DM’d and will have a later last day (could be next year, even), but my priority is people staying, not people leaving."
  8. adrienne revised this gist Oct 19, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
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    @@ -161,6 +161,6 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/).
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes.
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
    * WP Engine [files an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
  9. adrienne revised this gist Oct 19, 2024. 1 changed file with 2 additions and 1 deletion.
    3 changes: 2 additions & 1 deletion mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -162,4 +162,5 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ
    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/).
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
    * WP Engine [files an administrative motion to shorten the timeline for emergency relief](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.22.0.pdf), citing the "capricious and unhinged actions of Defendants" as necessitating a seriously expedited timeline.
  10. adrienne revised this gist Oct 19, 2024. 1 changed file with 2 additions and 1 deletion.
    3 changes: 2 additions & 1 deletion mullenweg-wpe.md
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    @@ -161,4 +161,5 @@ So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employ

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/).
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
    * The WordPress Code of Conduct is suddenly modified [to prohibit the sharing of private communications](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/protect-private-conversations/), with no clear language about what constitutes "private" nor about the scope of the restriction.
  11. adrienne revised this gist Oct 19, 2024. 1 changed file with 3 additions and 2 deletions.
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    ## 17 October 2024

    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer.
    * The Verge [also has the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272867/automattic-employee-buyout-wordpress-drama)
    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer.
    The Verge [also has the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272867/automattic-employee-buyout-wordpress-drama)
    So does [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/automattic-offered-employees-another-chance-to-quit-this-time-with-nine-months-severance/).
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.
    * The WordPress Foundation announces a [$100K donation to the Internet Archive](https://old.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1g69u1i/wp_foundation_board_unanimously_approves_100k/).

  12. adrienne revised this gist Oct 18, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
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    * Major contributors and community figures continue to get banned from the Slack and blocked by the WordPress official Twitter account (more tk)
    * Another mainstream press article in Slate: [The Pettiest Drama in the Tech World Is Taking Place at … WordPress?](https://slate.com/technology/2024/10/wordpress-wpengine-matt-mullenweg-drama-explained.html)
    * Now in order to get a WordCamp ticket [you have to log in (and therefore check the checkbox)](https://x.com/jonoalderson/status/1844720401684836760) (more tk)
    * Now in order to get a WordCamp ticket [you have to log in (and therefore check the checkbox)](https://x.com/jonoalderson/status/1844720401684836760)


    ## 12 October 2024
  13. adrienne revised this gist Oct 18, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
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    # The Players
    * [The WordPress Foundation](https://wordpressfoundation.org) is the nonprofit which manages the WordPress code and ecosystem. Until this blowup started, it was widely believed to maintain the wordpress.**org** website (the domain, however, is [owned by Matt Mullenweg](https://wp-content.co/bay-lights/) rather than by the Foundation), which acts as the central repository for all updates, themes, and plugins, as well as managing the WordPress documentation and maintaining a large discussion forum for WordPress devs and users. The Foundation is administered by [a board of three people, one of whom is Matt Mullenweg](https://www.pluginvulnerabilities.com/2024/09/24/who-is-on-the-wordpress-foundation-board/).
    * [WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org) is the above-mentioned plugin/theme/update repository, which turns out to be owned by Mullenweg directly rather than by the Foundation, and he is in full control of it.
    * [WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org) is the above-mentioned plugin/theme/update repository, which turns out to be owned by Mullenweg directly rather than by the Foundation, and he is in full control of it. Until all of this started, most people in the WordPress community (including longtime developers and agency partners) were under the mistaken impression that the .org site was administered by the Foundation.
    * [Automattic](https://automattic.com) is the for-profit arm of WordPress, which maintains the wordpress.**com** web host as well as offering a number of other free and paid addons to WordPress. Matt Mullenweg is the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, and controls a majority of voting shares in the organization.
    * [WP Engine](https://wpengine.com) is a company which offers managed hosting for WordPress sites. They are a major player in the WP hosting space. It is important to note that the phrase "managed hosting" specifically implies a high level of control by the hosting company over the software and infrastructure; managed hosting services are geared toward less-technical clients and clients who want to offload server administration stuff. People who are purchasing managed hosting, as opposed to unmanaged hosting, are *specifically buying* the higher level of control by the hosting provider, because it means fewer hassles for them.

  14. adrienne revised this gist Oct 18, 2024. 1 changed file with 1 addition and 1 deletion.
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    > [!NOTE]
    > Hi, everyone. I've been putting in a lot of work on this over the last few weeks and i'm currently underemployed! If you'd like to hire me to do CMS-based work (i focus on Craft and ExpressionEngine but i do some WordPress work as well), please reach out! Alternatively, if you'd like to [chip in toward bills & groceries](https://ko-fi.com/iridienne), please do!
    > Hi, everyone. I've been putting in a *lot* of work on this over the last few weeks and i'm currently underemployed! If you'd like to hire me to do CMS-based work (i focus on Craft and ExpressionEngine but i do some WordPress work as well), please reach out! Alternatively, if you'd like to [chip in toward bills & groceries](https://ko-fi.com/iridienne), that's a big help right now!
    # The Players
    * [The WordPress Foundation](https://wordpressfoundation.org) is the nonprofit which manages the WordPress code and ecosystem. Until this blowup started, it was widely believed to maintain the wordpress.**org** website (the domain, however, is [owned by Matt Mullenweg](https://wp-content.co/bay-lights/) rather than by the Foundation), which acts as the central repository for all updates, themes, and plugins, as well as managing the WordPress documentation and maintaining a large discussion forum for WordPress devs and users. The Foundation is administered by [a board of three people, one of whom is Matt Mullenweg](https://www.pluginvulnerabilities.com/2024/09/24/who-is-on-the-wordpress-foundation-board/).
  15. adrienne revised this gist Oct 18, 2024. 1 changed file with 3 additions and 0 deletions.
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    > [!NOTE]
    > Hi, everyone. I've been putting in a lot of work on this over the last few weeks and i'm currently underemployed! If you'd like to hire me to do CMS-based work (i focus on Craft and ExpressionEngine but i do some WordPress work as well), please reach out! Alternatively, if you'd like to [chip in toward bills & groceries](https://ko-fi.com/iridienne), please do!
    # The Players
    * [The WordPress Foundation](https://wordpressfoundation.org) is the nonprofit which manages the WordPress code and ecosystem. Until this blowup started, it was widely believed to maintain the wordpress.**org** website (the domain, however, is [owned by Matt Mullenweg](https://wp-content.co/bay-lights/) rather than by the Foundation), which acts as the central repository for all updates, themes, and plugins, as well as managing the WordPress documentation and maintaining a large discussion forum for WordPress devs and users. The Foundation is administered by [a board of three people, one of whom is Matt Mullenweg](https://www.pluginvulnerabilities.com/2024/09/24/who-is-on-the-wordpress-foundation-board/).
    * [WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org) is the above-mentioned plugin/theme/update repository, which turns out to be owned by Mullenweg directly rather than by the Foundation, and he is in full control of it.
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    ## 18 October 2024

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/). [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/).
    [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
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    ## 18 October 2024

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/). [The Verge also covers the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/18/24273448/wp-engine-injunction-matt-mullenweg-wordpress-resources).
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
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    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer.
    * The Verge [also has the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272867/automattic-employee-buyout-wordpress-drama)
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.
    * The WordPress Foundation announces a [$100K donation to the Internet Archive](https://old.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1g69u1i/wp_foundation_board_unanimously_approves_100k/).

    ## 18 October 2024

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    ## 18 October 2024

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
    * The WordPress Foundation posts [meeting minutes from their 17 October meeting](https://wordpressfoundation.org/news/2024/meeting-minutes/). This is the first time they have ever publicly posted meeting minutes (there is some suspicion in the WordPress community that this may be the first time they have ever had a meeting).
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    ## 18 October 2024

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of the status quo. There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of "the status quo as it existed prior to September 20, 2024". There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
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    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer.
    * The Verge [also has the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272867/automattic-employee-buyout-wordpress-drama)
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.

    ## 18 October 2024

    * WP Engine files a [motion for a preliminary injunction](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.437474/gov.uscourts.cand.437474.17.0.pdf) seeking a restoration of the status quo. There are many exhibits and several supporting declarations available [on CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69221176/wpengine-inc-v-automattic-inc/)
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    ## 17 October 2024

    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer .
    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer.
    * The Verge [also has the story](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272867/automattic-employee-buyout-wordpress-drama)
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.
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    * An opinion piece at [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564788/about-that-brawl-between-the-wordpress-co-founder-and-wp-engine.html) about the conflict
    * Bullenweg has information about [a new short-term "alignment" (buyout) offer](https://bullenweg.com/#offers-new-exploding-alignment-offer), which was apparently specifically targeted at a particular leaker. (No word yet on how many others took it.) Notably, the offer was posted only in the internal Slack, and included the following sentence: "We will try to keep this quiet, so it won’t be used against us, but I still wanted to give Automatticians another window."
    * LWN has a good article about [the impact of the conflict on the WordPress community](https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/993895/c0438e0ee9382c5f/)

    ## 17 October 2024

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    ## 16 October 2024

    * An opinion piece at [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564788/about-that-brawl-between-the-wordpress-co-founder-and-wp-engine.html) about the conflict
    * Bullenweg has information about [a new short-term "alignment" (buyout) offer](https://bullenweg.com/#offers-new-exploding-alignment-offer), which was apparently specifically targeted at a particular leaker. (No word yet on how many others took it.) Notably, the offer was posted only in the internal Slack, and included the following sentence: "We will try to keep this quiet, so it won’t be used against us, but I still wanted to give Automatticians another window."

    ## 17 October 2024

    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including another buyout offer (which was only available for 4 hours on 16 October)
    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including the new buyout offer .
    * The WordPress blog posts a [promotion to entice customers away from WPEngine](https://wordpress.org/news/2024/10/wp-engine-promotions/); currently five hosts are listed as offering discounts. Three of those hosts are owned by Automattic, and one (BlueHost) is owned by Newfold, which is invested in Automattic and pays them for a trademark license. Only one (Dreamhost) seems to be independent.
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    ## 17 October 2024

    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including another buyout offer (which was only available for 4 hours)
    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including another buyout offer (which was only available for 4 hours on 16 October)
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    ## 16 October 2024

    * An opinion piece at [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564788/about-that-brawl-between-the-wordpress-co-founder-and-wp-engine.html) about the conflict
    * An opinion piece at [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564788/about-that-brawl-between-the-wordpress-co-founder-and-wp-engine.html) about the conflict

    ## 17 October 2024

    * 404 Media reports on [ongoing chaos at Automattic](https://www.404media.co/automattic-buyout-offer-wordpress-matt-mullenweg/) including another buyout offer (which was only available for 4 hours)
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    * Internal Automattic comms related to trademark enforcement plans [are leaked to TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/15/internal-blog-post-reveals-automattics-plan-to-enforce-the-wordpress-trademark-using-nice-and-not-nice-lawyers/)
    * [Fast Company covers the ongoing conflict](https://www.fastcompany.com/91209753/the-wordpress-drama-could-have-major-implications-for-the-internet)
    * The Register [has more details about WPE being banned from WordPress events](https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/15/wordpress_bans_wpengine_from_events/): WPE employees have also been told by the Foundation that they cannot volunteer at or speak at any officially-sponsored WordPress event
    * Dave Winer, one of the internet's preëminent Cranky Old Men, [weighs in on Mullenweg's side](http://scripting.com/2024/10/15/170749.html)

    ## 16 October 2024

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    * Internal Automattic comms related to trademark enforcement plans [are leaked to TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/15/internal-blog-post-reveals-automattics-plan-to-enforce-the-wordpress-trademark-using-nice-and-not-nice-lawyers/)
    * [Fast Company covers the ongoing conflict](https://www.fastcompany.com/91209753/the-wordpress-drama-could-have-major-implications-for-the-internet)
    * The Register [has more details about WPE being banned from WordPress events](https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/15/wordpress_bans_wpengine_from_events/): WPE employees have also been told by the Foundation that they cannot volunteer at or speak at any officially-sponsored WordPress event
    * The Register [has more details about WPE being banned from WordPress events](https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/15/wordpress_bans_wpengine_from_events/): WPE employees have also been told by the Foundation that they cannot volunteer at or speak at any officially-sponsored WordPress event

    ## 16 October 2024

    * An opinion piece at [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564788/about-that-brawl-between-the-wordpress-co-founder-and-wp-engine.html) about the conflict
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    * [Another roundup/timeline that includes some history](https://duerrenberger.dev/blog/2024/10/08/timeline-of-the-wordpress-drama/)
    * [Another roundup at The Mattrix Derailed](https://mattrixderailed.com) which focuses on quotes and reactions from community members
    * Another roundup, mostly longer-form blog reactions to events, is at [mullenweg.wtf](https://mullenweg.wtf)
    * Yet another timeline [over here](https://mattengine.com), with some older events to show community concerns occurring even before this particular conflict started

    # Updates

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    ## 15 October 2024

    * Internal Automattic comms related to trademark enforcement plans [are leaked to TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/15/internal-blog-post-reveals-automattics-plan-to-enforce-the-wordpress-trademark-using-nice-and-not-nice-lawyers/)
    * [Fast Company covers the ongoing conflict](https://www.fastcompany.com/91209753/the-wordpress-drama-could-have-major-implications-for-the-internet)
    * [Fast Company covers the ongoing conflict](https://www.fastcompany.com/91209753/the-wordpress-drama-could-have-major-implications-for-the-internet)
    * The Register [has more details about WPE being banned from WordPress events](https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/15/wordpress_bans_wpengine_from_events/): WPE employees have also been told by the Foundation that they cannot volunteer at or speak at any officially-sponsored WordPress event