A collective of former WordPress developers has now launched the new FAIR Package Manager, an independent distribution system for plugins. This new important project, which is fully backed by the Linux Foundation, is a direct response to a recent legal conflict. This particular conflict was between the commercial WordPress hosting providers Automattic and also the company known as WP Engine. This heated dispute saw Automattic ban WP Engine’s access to the WordPress.org platform, which is used for plugin and theme updates. The core conflict primarily stems from brand usage disputes and also major disagreements over various contributions to the WordPress open-source project. This created a need for a new vendor-neutral distribution system.
The public dispute between the two companies escalated when WP Engine sent a cease-and-desist letter to the WordPress provider Automattic. This legal action occurred right after Matt Mullenweg, Automattic’s CEO, had publicly criticized WP Engine for profiting from WordPress. He claimed they did so without making adequate contributions, calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress,” which sparked a significant industry debate. WP Engine also accused Mullenweg of trying to extort millions of dollars from them for the official trademark licensing of WordPress. Automattic then countered with its own cease-and-desist letter, claiming that WP Engine had generated $400 million in revenue through unauthorized use. This revenue was from the WordPress name and infringing on trademarks.
In light of these very serious issues, the Linux Foundation has now unveiled the FAIR Package Manager as a vendor-neutral system.
This important new system does not rely on a single central source for plugin and theme delivery and all future software updates. The Linux Foundation’s executive director said this project paves the way for the stability and also the growth of open source content management. This decentralized alternative to the WordPress.org ecosystem effectively returns control to both developers and hosts through a special drop-in plugin. It also builds much needed security directly into the supply chain, including improved cryptographic security measures and enhanced browser compatibility checking.
The new FAIR Package Manager platform brings together a fragmented ecosystem by allowing the inclusion of various plugins from any available source.
It effectively replaces the communication that currently goes through WordPress.org APIs with secure local or FAIR protocol alternatives for better reliability. It also allows various web hosts to set up their own personal plugin and theme mirrors using AspirePress or their own domains. A co-chair of the FAIR Technical Steering Committee said this new project gives the WordPress ecosystem a stronger, more independent foundation. She has stated that by decentralizing software distribution, they are ensuring the long-term sustainability of this very popular open source content management platform.
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