Your site is safe – but some features and content may be at risk
Recently, a Delaware federal jury awarded $170 million to Express Mobile, Inc. in a patent infringement case against GoDaddy. The patents involved cover “runtime engine / browser-based website construction”, which directly relates to GoDaddy’s Website Builder and Managed WordPress tools.
If you use GoDaddy’s website builder, you may be wondering what this means for your site, your content, and your ability to control your website. Here’s the breakdown – plus tips for users who want more long-term security and control.
Will my GoDaddy website stop working?
No. Your website will continue to function normally for now. GoDaddy will not remove existing sites immediately. You can continue updating, publishing, and managing your site as usual.
Could GoDaddy website builder features change?
Yes – potentially in the future. Because the patent covers key website builder drag-and-drop and live preview functions:
- Some editing tools or templates might need to be modified or removed if GoDaddy is required to redesign around the patent.
- Future updates to the Website Builder could be delayed until the appeal process is resolved.
GoDaddy Website Backup limitations and what GoDaddy users need to know
This is the most important point for users in the context of the lawsuit:
- If you use GoDaddy’s proprietary Website Builder (Websites + Marketing), you cannot fully back up all site elements. GoDaddy only lets you save sections, text, and settings – but images, blog posts, products, and other custom content may not be included.
- This means that if GoDaddy has to remove or alter certain features due to the patent verdict, some parts of your site may not be restorable from a backup.
- Users on Managed WordPress or cPanel hosting plans are in a much safer position: they can back up all files and databases, giving them full control to restore or migrate their site elsewhere if needed.
💡 For users concerned about feature reliability and long-term control, platforms like UltimateWB provide full server control and complete site backups, so you won’t be affected by third-party patent disputes.
Will this affect GoDaddy website builder/hosting pricing?
Possibly. Large patent fines or settlements sometimes influence subscription costs:
- New plans could see price adjustments in the future.
- Current subscriptions should be safe for the duration of the billing period, but keep an eye on official GoDaddy communications.
What you should do as a GoDaddy user
- Backup what you can manually – download any images, blog posts, or product data that might not be fully backed up by GoDaddy.
- Monitor GoDaddy updates – watch emails, blog posts, or release notes for any changes.
- Consider alternatives for full control – if your website is on the GoDaddy website builder you might want to migrate your website out to gain more stability. UltimateWB allows complete control over your site, features, and backups, eliminating dependency on third-party platform changes.
Bottom line
The patent verdict is a big deal for GoDaddy, but your current website continues to work. The main risk is for users of GoDaddy’s proprietary Website Builder: some features or content may be altered, and not everything can be backed up fully.
For those looking for full control and peace of mind, UltimateWB provides a self-hosted environment where you manage all aspects of your website without relying on third-party platforms that could be affected by legal disputes.
Related: Why So Many Businesses Are Switching from Hosted Platforms to Self-Hosted Builders
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.