In response to Matt Mullenweg’s recent public remarks, WP Engine has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Automattic, demanding an end to what they describe as a defamatory and misleading campaign.
WP Engine claims that Mullenweg’s comments, made during his keynote at WordCamp US and across multiple platforms, were part of an attempt to coerce the company into making large payments to Automattic. The letter details alleged financial demands, threats of reputational harm, and WP Engine’s assertion that these actions not only hurt their business but also disrupt the WordPress community.
Mr. Mullenweg’s covert demand that WP Engine hand over tens of millions to his for-profit company Automattic, while publicly masquerading as an altruistic protector of the WordPress community, is disgraceful.
According to the letter, WP Engine leadership refused to meet Automattic’s demands, which included payment for a “license” to use the WordPress trademarks. WP Engine maintains they are compliant with trademark policies and have contributed significantly to the WordPress ecosystem.
In the letter, WP Engine requests that Automattic cease making false statements, stop interfering with WP Engine’s contractual relationships, and preserve relevant documents for potential legal action.
WP Engine contends that Mullenweg’s actions—while cloaked as a defense of the open-source community—are actually self-serving and damaging to the broader WordPress ecosystem. The hosting provider stresses its ongoing commitment to integrity and transparency, highlighting their numerous contributions to WordPress over the years.
For more details, you can read the cease-and-desist letter here.
Followup News
- Sep 25, 2024: WP Engine is now banned from WordPress.org
