WP Engine Accuses Automattic of "Scorched Earth" Campaign

WP Engine, a popular wordpress hosting service, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Automattic, the company behind WordPress, after a public dispute erupted between the two companies.

• The conflict stems from statements made by Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg, who publicly criticized WP Engine for profiting from the open source WordPress project while allegedly contributing less back to the community.
• Mullenweg labeled WP Engine a "cancer" to WordPress, urging users to switch providers.

WP Engine Claims Threats and Extortion

WP Engine's cease-and-desist letter alleges that Mullenweg threatened WP Engine with a "scorched earth nuclear approach" within the WordPress community if they did not pay Automattic a substantial sum of money before his keynote address at the WordCamp US convention.

• WP Engine claims Mullenweg made these threats in the form of text messages to WP Engine's CEO and board members.
• The letter also states that Automattic demanded a significant percentage of WP Engine's gross revenue for a license to use trademarks like "WordPress".

WP Engine's Defense: Fair Use of WordPress Trademark

WP Engine asserts that its use of the "WordPress" trademark is consistent with the platform's guidelines and falls under the doctrine of fair use.

• WP Engine argues that they have contributed to the growth of WordPress and have a right to use the trademark for their services.
• They also point to Automattic's previous investment in WP Engine in 2011, suggesting a prior acknowledgment of their contributions.

Automattic's Response

Automattic has not yet issued a public response to WP Engine's allegations.

• However, Mullenweg's blog posts and public statements have highlighted WP Engine's alleged lack of contribution to the open source project.
• He has also accused WP Engine of providing a "cheap knock-off" version of WordPress to its customers.

The Future of WP Engine and WordPress

The public dispute between WP Engine and Automattic has raised questions about the future of the WordPress ecosystem.

• The dispute highlights the tension between commercialization and open source principles in the WordPress community.
• The outcome of this conflict could have implications for how other companies leverage the WordPress platform.

WordCamp: A Focus on WordPress Community

The controversy erupted on the eve of the WordCamp US convention, a major gathering for the WordPress community.

• The event serves as a platform for developers, designers, and users to connect and learn about WordPress.
• Mullenweg's keynote address at WordCamp was expected to focus on the future of WordPress and its community.

The Role of Trademarks in Open Source Software

The conflict between WP Engine and Automattic brings to light the complexities of trademark ownership and usage in the context of open source software.

• While WordPress is an open source project, Automattic holds various trademarks associated with the platform.
• This situation raises questions about how companies can leverage open source projects for commercial purposes while respecting intellectual property rights.

Conclusion: A Clash of Interests

The dispute between WP Engine and Automattic is a reminder that the WordPress ecosystem is not without its challenges and complexities.

• While both companies are major players in the WordPress world, their interests and priorities may not always align.
• The resolution of this conflict will be closely watched by the WordPress community, as it could have significant implications for the future of the platform.