Automattic accuses WP Engine of misleading practices (update)

"Automattic has filed new counterclaims against hosting company WP Engine in a long-running dispute over the use of the WordPress and WooCommerce brands. Automattic manages WordPress.com and WooCommerce, among other things. It is also closely linked to the development of WordPress. Automattic claims that since being acquired by investment firm Silver Lake, WP Engine has undermined the trust that has been built up over decades around WordPress and the open-source community."

"In the legal documents, Automattic alleges that WP Engine has artificially inflated the value of its business. WP Engine achieved this through prolonged trademark infringement and misleading branding. The conflict has been ongoing since September 2024, when Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, publicly criticized WP Engine. He felt that the company was profiting too much from WordPress without contributing proportionally to the open-source project."

"Shortly thereafter, WordPress.org, led by Mullenweg, restricted WP Engine's access to parts of the platform, which affected the use of plugins and add-ons by WP Engine customers. Division within the WordPress community This approach led to division within the WordPress community. Several volunteers and developers expressed their dissatisfaction when WordPress.org introduced new rules prohibiting WP Engine sponsorship at local events and restricting what volunteers could say on social media."

Automattic filed new counterclaims alleging WP Engine used WordPress and WooCommerce brands improperly and inflated its business value through prolonged trademark infringement and misleading branding. Automattic says WP Engine undermined decades-long community trust after its acquisition by Silver Lake. The dispute traces to September 2024 when Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine for profiting from WordPress without proportional contributions. WordPress.org then restricted WP Engine's access to platform parts, affecting plugin and add-on use by WP Engine customers. New rules prohibiting WP Engine sponsorship at local events and limiting volunteer speech prompted dissatisfaction among volunteers and developers. WP Engine previously won a court victory; Automattic seeks to overturn that ruling. WP Engine stated its use of the WordPress trademark is consistent with industry practice and fair use and that it will defend against the claims.

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