WordPress Files to Trademark ‘Managed WordPress’ & ‘Hosted WordPress’ via @sejournal, @martinibuster

The WordPress Foundation applied to trademark ‘Managed WordPress’ and ‘Hosted WordPress’ for bundle and hosting services. If approved, this would bounds commercialized usage of these presumption by web hosts and adjacent plugins without anterior permission.

Trademark Applications Filed By WordPress

The trademark applications for the 2 hosting related phrases are dated July 12, 2024 and lists the WordPress Foundation arsenic the applicant of the trademarks connected the phrases “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress”.

The WordPress Foundation is the non-profit enactment that’s down the open-source WordPress contented absorption system.

The applications screen the usage of the phrases successful web hosting, servers for web hosting, downloadable bundle platforms for web hosting, unreality hosting services, SaaS services, bundle for managing website contented (including downloadable software), web improvement software, downloadable bundle for plan and managing websites, and plugin software.

Why WordPress Filed Trademarks

The trademark exertion is filed connected an “Intent to Use” basis, which means that they accidental they’re going to usage it.

The trademark applications some inform:

“The applicant has a bona fide intention, and is entitled, to usage the people successful commerce connected oregon successful transportation with the identified
goods/services.”

Who Wants To Own The Trademarks?

The trademark exertion was filed by the WordPress Foundation, a non-profit entity that is abstracted from the for-profit Automattic. Yet it was Automattic that was demanding wealth successful speech for a licence to usage definite WordPress related phrase.

How tin Automattic marque claims for trademarks that are claimed by WordPress Foundation, a abstracted ineligible entity? The reply to the question whitethorn beryllium that the WordPress Foundation has an statement with Automattic for enforcing their trademark.

The cease and desist sent by WP Engine to Automattic explains:

“During calls connected September 17th and 19th, for instance, Automattic CFO Mark Davies told a WP Engine committee subordinate that Automattic would “go to war” if WP Engine did not hold to wage its rival Automattic a important percent of its gross revenues – tens of millions of dollars successful information – connected an ongoing basis. Mr. Davies suggested the outgo ostensibly would beryllium for a “license” to usage definite trademarks similar WordPress, adjacent though WP Engine needs nary specified license.

WP Engine’s uses of those marks to picture its services – arsenic each companies successful this abstraction bash – are just uses nether settled trademark instrumentality and accordant with WordPress’ ain guidelines.”

The backmost and distant betwixt WordPress, Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine omits this small item but it whitethorn precise good beryllium that Automattic is licensed to enforce trademarks connected behalf of the WordPress Foundation.

Implications Of Trademark Filing

The trademark exertion could person an interaction connected web hosts that usage the phrases “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress” due to the fact that the WordPress Foundation would beryllium capable to enforce their ownership of the operation oregon inquire for licensing fees.

The WordPress Foundation’s relation successful this trademark exertion is to asseverate ineligible power implicit the presumption “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress” truthful arsenic to power what entities are capable to usage those phrases.

If the trademark exertion passes introspection past determination is expected to beryllium a play of clip wherever 3rd parties tin record objections to the trademark application.

Read the trademark applications here:

Managed WordPress Trademark Application

Hosted WordPress Trademark Application

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