WP Engine Files an Injunction

PLAINTIFF WPENGINE, INC.’S REPLY IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

This is a summarised version of the court document submitted to the northern district court in California. The full court document can be viewed via this link: gov.uscourts.cand.437474.44.0.pdf

This injunction is a legal dispute in which WP Engine (WPE), a web hosting company, is challenging Automattic, the company behind WordPress, and its CEO, Matt Mullenweg.

WPE argues that Automattic’s actions are damaging their business and affecting the broader WordPress community, potentially setting a concerning precedent for open-source projects.

Source of the Conflict

WPE asserts that Automattic is restricting its access to essential WordPress tools and resources.

These resources are vital for WPE to serve their customers effectively and are traditionally open to the WordPress community.

By blocking this access, Automattic has disrupted WPE’s operations, resulting in lost customers and potential long-term harm to WPE's reputation.

Key Issues Raised by WPE

Customer Impact: WPE claims they’ve lost many customers due to these restrictions, which impacts their business stability and growth.

Technology Barriers: Automattic’s actions have allegedly hindered WPE’s ability to manage plugins and updates effectively—a core part of their service.

Claims of Unfair Practices: WPE accuses Automattic of forcing them into paying for continued access, a move they equate with “extortion.” They argue that what used to be open and free in the spirit of the WordPress community is now being treated as a closed resource.

WPE’s Legal Request

WPE is asking the court for an “injunction” to immediately halt Automattic’s actions.

They aim to restore access to the necessary tools while the case progresses.

Furthermore, they argue that returning things to how they were before this conflict benefits everyone: WPE, their customers, and the WordPress ecosystem.

The Broader Implications

At its heart, this case isn’t just about WPE’s business; it speaks to a broader debate about access, fairness, and what it means to be “open” in an open-source community.

WPE strongly appeals that Automattic’s restrictive measures could have long-lasting effects on customer trust, business relationships, and the open-source principles that have guided WordPress until now.

The Fallout

I hope the two sides can settle their differences, but it looks like the dispute between the two companies will rumble for months if not years.

If it does continue for any length of time, then I fear for WordPress.

Will WordPress customers tolerate the warring factions, or will they look for alternative platforms for their websites?

Stay curious and keep exploring,

Paul.