The long-brewing conflict between Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, and the WordPress hosting provider WP Engine has escalated dramatically. In a newly filed counterclaim, Automattic accuses WP Engine of trademark violations, deceptive branding, and abandoning its open-source commitments — all allegedly driven by private equity ambitions after a massive investment by Silver Lake.
A $250 Million Investment and a Power Shift
According to Automattic’s filing, the roots of the conflict trace back to Silver Lake’s $250 million investment in WP Engine, which gave the private equity firm a controlling stake in the company. Automattic claims this shift in ownership fundamentally altered WP Engine’s business priorities.
Rather than focusing on contributing to the open-source WordPress project — which powers over 40% of all websites on the internet — Automattic alleges WP Engine began prioritizing short-term valuation growth in order to “engineer a quick, lucrative exit” for Silver Lake and its investors.
The counterclaim paints a picture of corporate rebranding and confusion, asserting that WP Engine began positioning itself as “The WordPress Technology Company” and even permitted its partners and affiliates to refer to it as “WordPress Engine.” Automattic contends these moves intentionally blurred the line between WP Engine’s commercial hosting services and the open-source WordPress platform itself, violating longstanding WordPress trademarks.
Allegations of Misrepresentation and Broken Promises
The counterclaim further accuses WP Engine of launching products that exploited the WordPress brand while misleading users. Automattic points to offerings named “Core WordPress” and “Headless WordPress” as examples of deliberate misrepresentation, designed to make customers believe WP Engine was the primary developer or steward of WordPress technology.
At the same time, Automattic claims WP Engine failed to deliver on a community commitment known as the “Five for the Future” initiative — a voluntary pledge encouraging companies that profit from WordPress to dedicate at least five percent of their resources to supporting its ongoing development. According to the filing, WP Engine’s contribution to the open-source project fell far short of this promise, even as it continued to market itself as a champion of WordPress innovation.
Failed Negotiations and Alleged Corporate Deception
Automattic’s counterclaim also describes a series of failed negotiations between the two companies. It alleges that Automattic and Matt Mullenweg made repeated efforts to resolve the dispute amicably by offering WP Engine a “fair trademark license” to continue using the WordPress name within agreed boundaries.
However, Automattic says WP Engine only pretended to engage in meaningful discussions, while intentionally delaying progress. The motive, according to Automattic, was financial — the company and its investors wanted to avoid any licensing deal that might reduce their profits or hurt their valuation.
Automattic claims this was especially critical because Silver Lake was actively preparing to sell WP Engine at a $2 billion valuation, even going as far as making overtures to Automattic about a potential acquisition.
WP Engine Fires Back: “Baseless Claims”
In a statement to Engadget, a WP Engine spokesperson dismissed Automattic’s counterclaims outright, calling them baseless and inconsistent with trademark law:
“WP Engine’s use of the WordPress trademark to refer to the open-source software is consistent with longstanding industry practice and fair use under settled trademark law, and we will defend against these baseless claims.”
The Conflict So Far: A History of Tension
This counterclaim is the latest development in what has become one of the most public and contentious disputes in the WordPress ecosystem’s 20-year history.
The feud became public earlier this year when WP Engine filed a lawsuit accusing Automattic and Mullenweg of “abuse of power, extortion, and greed.” WP Engine alleged that Mullenweg had demanded an eight percent royalty on its monthly revenue as payment for continued use of the WordPress name and trademarks.
Mullenweg’s aggressive stance triggered backlash even within his own company — over 100 Automattic employees reportedly left in protest, citing concerns over his handling of the situation and its impact on the open-source community’s reputation.
WP Engine subsequently won a preliminary injunction in its original lawsuit, temporarily preventing Automattic and Mullenweg from taking certain actions against the company. But Automattic’s new counterclaim indicates the battle is far from over.
Why It Matters
At stake in this legal drama is more than just money or corporate ego — it’s the future of one of the internet’s most important open-source ecosystems.
WordPress’ success has always relied on a delicate balance between open-source community values and the commercial companies that profit from the platform. Automattic, as the company founded by WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg, holds significant influence, but it doesn’t own WordPress itself. The open-source project is maintained by a global community under the WordPress Foundation.
If Automattic’s claims are proven, it could reshape how WordPress-related businesses use the brand name and contribute to its open-source roots. On the other hand, if WP Engine prevails, it could limit Automattic’s control and influence over how companies operate within the WordPress ecosystem.
The Road Ahead
With Automattic’s counterclaim now filed, the legal battle is likely to intensify. Both companies have vast resources and deep ties within the WordPress community, and the case could drag on for years before any final judgment is reached.
For millions of website owners and developers who rely on WordPress, the case highlights a growing tension between open-source ideals and private equity interests — a clash that may ultimately define the platform’s next chapter.
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