Automattic will reduce contributions to WordPress core amid legal dispute with WP Engine

Automattic, the company behind WordPress, has announced a reduction in its sponsored contributions to the WordPress project. This decision follows a legal dispute with WP Engine, a WordPress hosting company. Automattic cites an imbalance in contribution distribution within the WordPress ecosystem as a factor in their decision. The company has faced legal expenses and criticism, with calls for founder Matt Mullenweg to step back from the project.

Automattic's contributors to WordPress core will now focus on its for-profit ventures like WordPress.com, Pressable, WPVIP, Jetpack, and WooCommerce. The company will align its volunteer contributions with those of WP Engine and others, dedicating about 45 hours a week to security and critical updates under the Five For the Future program.

This shift is attributed to the legal actions by WP Engine, which Automattic claims have diverted resources from WordPress's growth. Automattic plans to resume its active contributions to WordPress core and related projects once the legal issues have stopped.