Us Judge Orders Automattic To Remove Profits From Open-Source Wordpress Software

Us Judge Orders Automattic To Remove Profits From Open-Source Wordpress Software

A US judge has granted a preliminary injunction, ordering WordPress owner Automattic to stop blocking access to its resources from WP Engine users who are not affiliated with the company. The ruling requires Automattic to remove a report that listed companies using ACF plugins, which is also known as “cancer to WordPress Foundation,” from its website.

US District Court Judge Araceli Martinez Olguin ordered the injunction after finding that Mullenweg’s conduct was designed to induce breach or disruption. In October 2020, WP Engine filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg, accusing them of extortion and abuse of power.

The judge ruled that Mullenweg’s behavior is not allowed in its role as co-founder of the Foundation, which was founded to promote the open-source project. The ruling also noted that Automattic’s actions were “designed to induce breach or disruption” and sided with WP Engine’s concerns.

As part of the order, Automattic must take down a list of companies it displayed on its website that are using ACF plugins. The company must also remove a checkbox that asks WordPress users to verify they are not affiliated with WP Engine when logging in.

The ruling is seen as a victory for WP Engine, which had accused Mullenweg and Automattic of trying to disrupt the hosting provider’s business. WP Engine is a hosted version of the WordPress software that has grown to have over 1,000 employees worldwide and has raised more than $250 million in funding.

Mullenweg had called WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress” at an event earlier this year, which led to a public spat between the two companies. Automattic had also responded with its own cease-and-desist letter, accusing WP Engine of trademark infringement.

The ruling is significant because it establishes that Automattic’s actions were motivated by a desire to disrupt WP Engine’s business and limit its access to WordPress resources. The judge’s order also underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the tech industry.

In related news, Automattic has announced an acquisition of artificial intelligence startup WPAI, which is seen as a strategic move to expand its offerings in the AI space. The case highlights the importance of understanding intellectual property laws and regulations in the tech industry and how quickly companies can escalate disputes into lawsuits, highlighting the need for careful communication and negotiation when dealing with sensitive issues.

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