Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org • Hacker News Board

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#21

Post by FireBeyond » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 3:10 AM UTC

ankleturtle wrote: post #20

vinnysgreen wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What legal entity is WordPress.org insured under, and who cuts the checks?

Wordpress.org isn't a legal entity. It's simply a domain owned by Matt. It seems Matt has a license to use the Wordpress trademarks. The Wordpress Foundation is a non-profit legal entity with a tiny budget. It appears the only thing it does is serve as a holding entity for the trademarks and the for-profit company than operates the WordCamp conferences. I suspect that Automattic is the one who foots the bill for the…

> Wordpress.org isn't a legal entity. It's simply a domain owned by Matt.

Automattic's website (https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg...) says otherwise:

> The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software.

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#22

Post by that_guy_iain » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 3:23 AM UTC

photomatt wrote: post #13

pluginvulns wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

WordPress.org seems to be used to refer to Matt Mullenweg [1], as he apparently personally owns it, though one of Automattic's lawyers said last week that it is a non-profit that is separate from the WordPress Foundation [2]. The previous Executive Director of WordPress was also an Automattic employee. When they were announced in the role their employment with Automattic also wasn't disclosed [3]. [1] https://www.plu…

All the information in the links you shared is totally wrong. Our lawyers have never said that WordPress.org is a non-profit or owned by the Foundation. It's owned and run by me personally, and I have a trademark license from the WordPress Foundation to use the WordPress name and brand on the site.

Considering you own wordpress.org and the third link, that you claim is hosting completely wrong information, is on Wordpress.org you should ensure it has correct information. Especially, since it appears to have been written by you.

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#23

Post by neilperetz » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 3:48 AM UTC

pluginvulns wrote: post #15

photomatt wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the information in the links you shared is totally wrong. Our lawyers have never said that WordPress.org is a non-profit or owned by the Foundation. It's owned and run by me personally, and I have a trademark license from the WordPress Foundation to use the WordPress name and brand on the site.

Here is the original source for the claim, which is on Automattic's website: https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg... The author is identified as Neil Peretz, who it says is an associate general counsel at Automattic. He says: "The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software." A graphic i…

Hi, it's Neil Peretz. I was just alerted to your post. I understand there's a question you have. How can I help you?

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#24

Post by legitster » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 3:51 AM UTC

neilperetz wrote: post #23

pluginvulns wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here is the original source for the claim, which is on Automattic's website: https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg... The author is identified as Neil Peretz, who it says is an associate general counsel at Automattic. He says: "The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software." A graphic i…

Hi, it's Neil Peretz. I was just alerted to your post. I understand there's a question you have. How can I help you?

I will ask on behalf of the entire Wordpress community - is there any part of the Wordpress cluster of organizations that do not ultimately answer to Matt?

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#25

Post by photomatt » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 4:07 AM UTC

pluginvulns wrote: post #15

photomatt wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the information in the links you shared is totally wrong. Our lawyers have never said that WordPress.org is a non-profit or owned by the Foundation. It's owned and run by me personally, and I have a trademark license from the WordPress Foundation to use the WordPress name and brand on the site.

Here is the original source for the claim, which is on Automattic's website: https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg... The author is identified as Neil Peretz, who it says is an associate general counsel at Automattic. He says: "The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software." A graphic i…

Sorry for that error, the post has been updated now.

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#26

Post by FateOfNations » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 4:39 AM UTC

pluginvulns wrote: post #15

photomatt wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the information in the links you shared is totally wrong. Our lawyers have never said that WordPress.org is a non-profit or owned by the Foundation. It's owned and run by me personally, and I have a trademark license from the WordPress Foundation to use the WordPress name and brand on the site.

Here is the original source for the claim, which is on Automattic's website: https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg... The author is identified as Neil Peretz, who it says is an associate general counsel at Automattic. He says: "The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software." A graphic i…

It seems like they used "non-profit" in that sentence to mean:

"an undertaking being conducted for a purpose other than making a profit"

…rather than…

"an organization that has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as being organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes as set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code."

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#27

Post by neilperetz » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 5:26 AM UTC

legitster wrote: post #24

neilperetz wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi, it's Neil Peretz. I was just alerted to your post. I understand there's a question you have. How can I help you?

I will ask on behalf of the entire Wordpress community - is there any part of the Wordpress cluster of organizations that do not ultimately answer to Matt?

Hi Legitster. I will work with colleagues on a response to your question. It's a broad topic given how many facets there are to the WordPress community.

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#28

Post by jonnypants83 » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 5:46 AM UTC

neilperetz wrote: post #27

legitster wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will ask on behalf of the entire Wordpress community - is there any part of the Wordpress cluster of organizations that do not ultimately answer to Matt?

Hi Legitster. I will work with colleagues on a response to your question. It's a broad topic given how many facets there are to the WordPress community.

come on, Neil... you just published 700 words on the topic. You even made flow charts! Are you now saying you don't actually have a solid understanding of the situation?

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#29

Post by DonnieBurger » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 9:14 AM UTC

neilperetz wrote: post #27

legitster wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will ask on behalf of the entire Wordpress community - is there any part of the Wordpress cluster of organizations that do not ultimately answer to Matt?

Hi Legitster. I will work with colleagues on a response to your question. It's a broad topic given how many facets there are to the WordPress community.

I'll take that as a "no." unless proven otherwise.

Re: Mary Hubbard New Executive Director of Wordpress.org

#30

Post by kinkora » Wed, Oct 09, 2024, 10:18 AM UTC

photomatt wrote: post #25

pluginvulns wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here is the original source for the claim, which is on Automattic's website: https://automattic.com/2024/10/02/wordpress-trademarks-a-leg... The author is identified as Neil Peretz, who it says is an associate general counsel at Automattic. He says: "The Foundation also licensed the name WordPress to the non-profit WordPress.org, which runs a website that facilitates access to WordPress-related software." A graphic i…

Sorry for that error, the post has been updated now.

Thanks for clarifying on that error.

I am not involved in the wordpress community in any shape or form but am fairly privy to what it is along with the open source world yet.. even I am finding it hard with confusing and/or conflating statements on what falls under the non-profit, foundation, commercial entity, etc.

But even if you ignore random stranger me from the internet, wouldn't it flag something in you that your own legal representative got it wrong on an official company post clarifying the structure? Even if I apply the most charitable interpretation, it seems Neil is also equally confused or at least not on the same page as you since he is unable to respond consistently in the other threads?

I am sure you will at least see why that everyone is just perplexed by how obtused the whole structure between the WordPress.org, WordPress The Foundation and Automattic.