The WordPress Lawsuit Battle

WP Engine Sues WordPress Co-Founder Matt Mullenweg and Automattic

WP Engine has filed a federal lawsuit against WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and Automattic for alleged libel and attempted extortion. The dispute arose from disagreements over the WordPress trademark and the open-source project. In its complaint, WP Engine accuses Automattic and Mullenweg of abuse of power, extortion, and greed. The company aims to protect itself and the WordPress community from further harm.

Background Information

WP Engine and Automattic are major players in the web hosting industry, with WP Engine hosting over 200,000 websites. Matt Mullenweg leads Automattic, which owns WordPress.com, a platform that offers a hosted version of the open-source WordPress software, similar to what WP Engine provides.

Legal Claims

In its lawsuit, WP Engine lists 11 complaints against Mullenweg and Automattic, including allegations of libel, slander, attempted extortion, and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Additionally, WP Engine claims that the WordPress Foundation, headed by Mullenweg, did not disclose trademark ownership to the IRS and accuses Mullenweg of providing false information to the IRS.

Statements from WP Engine

WP Engine expressed concerns about conflicts of interest and governance issues arising from Mullenweg’s recent actions. The company emphasized the need to protect its employees, partners, customers, and the wider WordPress community from potential harm. According to a statement given to TechCrunch, WP Engine is taking legal action to address these issues.

Conclusion

The dispute between WP Engine and Automattic/Mullenweg highlights the complexities of the web hosting industry and the open-source community. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the issues will be resolved and what implications they may have for both companies and the WordPress ecosystem.

FAQs

Q: What led to the lawsuit between WP Engine and Automattic/Mullenweg?

A: The lawsuit stemmed from disagreements over the WordPress trademark and allegations of abuse of power and extortion.

Q: What are the potential consequences of this legal dispute?

A: The lawsuit could impact the relationships between WP Engine, Automattic, and the broader WordPress community. It may also raise questions about governance and conflict of interest within the industry.

Credit: www.theverge.com