WordPress vs WP Engine: What exactly is the controversy?

The WordPress community is embroiled in a dispute between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine, a WordPress hosting service. Mullenweg criticised WP Engine for disabling revision history to cut costs and using the “WP” brand misleadingly. In response, WP Engine issued a cease-and-desist, claiming fair use of the trademark. Mullenweg banned WP Engine from WordPress.org resources, disrupting website updates and sparking criticism. The controversy has raised concerns about trademark enforcement, with fears that Automattic, which controls the WordPress trademark, might act similarly against others. Developers worry about relying on commercial open-source products tied to WordPress due to this dispute.