WordPress and “pineapple on pizza”: A dispute stirring up debate

Pineapple on pizza: a divisive topic, especially for Italians. Yet, it’s considered a true delight by many around the world. Among its most enthusiastic fans is Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, who has sparked a unique controversy. Users attempting to log in to the platform are now required to declare that “pineapple is delicious on pizza.” Without agreeing to this statement, login attempts fail, displaying an error message.

This move has generated both curiosity and backlash, quickly going viral on social media. However, behind this seemingly humorous gesture lies a serious legal dispute between Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, and WP Engine, a web hosting provider.

The dispute between Automattic and WP Engine

The conflict began last September when Matt Mullenweg accused WP Engine of exploiting the WordPress name for its own gain without proper licensing. In a sharp statement, the co-founder described WP Engine as “a cancer for WordPress,” claiming it restricts access to important features like revision history.

WP Engine responded with a cease-and-desist letter, demanding an end to statements it deemed “false and defamatory.” Mullenweg’s reaction was far from conciliatory: he updated WordPress’s trademark policy to remove WP Engine from the official list and barred the company from accessing themes, plugins, and other resources on WordPress.org. This decision had significant repercussions for many websites relying on WP Engine’s services.

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The humor of “pineapple on pizza”

In the midst of this clash, Mullenweg chose an unusual way to respond: adding ironic declarations to the login process. Initially, users had to confirm they weren’t affiliated with WP Engine. Now, he’s taken a lighter approach by requiring users to answer the controversial pineapple-on-pizza question, turning a legal dispute into a global culinary debate.

This move has sparked mixed reactions. While some found it amusing, others criticized WordPress for dragging users into a corporate feud.

Interestingly, this is a required field.

I don’t happen to like pineapple on my pizza, so does this mean I can’t log in to wordpressdotorg?

Enough with the games. @WordPress please provide transparency around the purpose of this field. https://t.co/nFyqBdZeaM pic.twitter.com/xzBWLJxU5r

— Carrie Dils 🇺🇦 (@cdils) December 16, 2024

Implications and insights

This situation highlights how disputes between major companies can impact not only their operations but also user experiences. WP Engine has initiated further legal action, while Automattic seems determined to continue its fight.

Beneath the humorous facade lies a deeper issue: control over digital trademarks and the role of platforms in managing access to their resources. As the world debates the merits of pineapple on pizza, the outcome of this clash between the two tech giants remains uncertain.