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ACF Plugin no longer available on WordPress.org

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221 points michaelcampbell | 7 comments | 13 Oct 24 15:44 UTC | HN request time: 0.617s | source | bottom
1. jeltz ◴[13 Oct 24 20:32 UTC] No.41831334[source]▶
It is insane how Matt once again seem totally unable to understand the difference between Autoamattic and the WordPress Foudnation.
replies(3): >>41831867 #>>41832222 #>>41832296 #
2. FireBeyond ◴[13 Oct 24 21:38 UTC] No.41831867[source]▶
The challenge is that this drama seems to be unmasking the reality that for the past decade or more, Matt has grown used to referring to Automattic, WP.com, WP.org, and the WPF interchangably and synonymously.

Concerning is not just the things he's said, but what he has done that go along with this. Self-dealing? Improper tax accounting?

replies(1): >>41832334 #
3. throw16180339 ◴[13 Oct 24 22:23 UTC] No.41832222[source]▶
There isn't an actual difference. He uses both of them as he sees fit.
replies(1): >>41832400 #
4. lolinder ◴[13 Oct 24 22:31 UTC] No.41832296[source]▶
The WordPress Foundation doesn't own WordPress.org. As far as I can tell it basically only owns the WordPress trademark, which it immediately turned around and gave away to Automattic in an exclusive license for unclear consideration.

WordPress.org, and therefore the entire plugin repository, is owned by just Matt and maintained by a division within Automattic. The .org-ness of it was just a smokescreen all along.

5. tacon ◴[13 Oct 24 22:36 UTC] No.41832334[source]▶
In the Reddit megathread on the recent drama, someone posted a summary of the IRS responses to inurement by the Board of Directors of a non-profit. It isn't pretty! [1]

If there is insider inurement, the IRS fine is directed to the Board of Directors (each one of them, however many) for 25% of the value of the benefit. If they do not pay in a timely manner, the bill is 200% of the inurement. Matt is the ultimate insider, "giving" the valuable trademarks to the foundation and then getting to use them for free, while leaning on other companies to pay millions. So the insider inurement is in the millions of dollars, per year, for years. Those two unknown board members of the WordPress Foundation? I hope they have great tax lawyers!

[1] https://www.mercadien.com/resource/steep-penalties-for-exces...

6. arielcostas ◴[13 Oct 24 22:46 UTC] No.41832400[source]▶
Wait, and the IRS is happy with all that? With an individual using company resources for what would appear to be "personal" activity outside the company? Same with the foundation?
replies(1): >>41832468 #
7. throw16180339 ◴[13 Oct 24 22:54 UTC] No.41832468{3}[source]▶
He said that they're all his and he moves workers between them in a comment here. WP Engine mentions the tax exempt status of the foundation in their lawsuit.