Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has announced a significant reduction in its contributions to the WordPress open-source project. According to a recent announcement, Automattic will now contribute only 45 hours a week, down from 3,988 hours, as part of the Five for the Future program. The company blames the cutback on the ongoing legal dispute with WP Engine, a third-party hosting platform.

The decision comes after Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine for contributing only 40 hours a week to the ecosystem, calling it a "cancer" to the community. The tension between the companies has been escalating, with WP Engine suing Automattic and Mullenweg last year over a public campaign against the company and the takeover of its ACF plugin. A judge later granted a preliminary injunction in favor of WP Engine, stating that Mullenweg's conduct was designed to induce breach or disruption.

Automattic attributes the reduction in contributions to the "significant time and money" spent on the legal battle with WP Engine, as well as the "intense criticism" it has faced from community members who want Mullenweg and others to step away from the WordPress project. The company expressed hope that WP Engine would reconsider its legal action, allowing Automattic to refocus its efforts on contributions that benefit the broader WordPress ecosystem.

The cutback in contributions has sparked concerns about the impact on the WordPress project, particularly in terms of security and critical updates. Automattic has assured that the 45 hours will likely be dedicated to these areas. However, the community remains skeptical, with some critics accusing Mullenweg of using the legal dispute as an excuse to reduce Automattic's involvement in the project.

The news comes amidst other changes at Automattic, including the shuttering of its sustainability team this week. A screenshotted Slack message from Mullenweg revealed that the team was dissolved due to its inability to further its goals. The move has drawn criticism from the community, including journalist Kara Swisher.

The ongoing dispute between Automattic and WP Engine has significant implications for the WordPress ecosystem, with many users and developers caught in the middle. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the reduced contributions will affect the project's development and security. One thing is certain, however – the tension between the companies and the community will only continue to escalate unless a resolution is reached.