Court Rules in Favor of WP Engine, Orders Access Restoration to WordPress.org
A California district court has mandated that Automattic and its CEO Matt Mullenweg reinstate WP Engine’s full access to WordPress.org, including themes, plugins, and subdomains. The ruling, issued by Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin, requires Automattic to restore WP Engine’s privileges to their state as of September 20, 2024—before Mullenweg publicly denounced WP Engine as a “cancer to WordPress” and subsequently blocked its access.
Key Developments in the Legal Battle
- Preliminary Injunction Granted: The court’s decision stems from a lawsuit filed by WP Engine, accusing Automattic and Mullenweg of extortion and abuse of power.
- ACF Plugin Control Restored: WP Engine regains access to its widely used Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin, which Automattic had seized, forked, and rebranded as Secure Custom Fields (SCF). The ruling mandates the return of ACF’s management to WP Engine.
- Customer Tracking Site Removed: Automattic must dismantle WordPressEngineTracker.com, a site tracking WP Engine customer departures, and eliminate a login-page checkbox requiring users to disavow WP Engine ties.
Broader Implications for the WordPress Ecosystem
WordPress powers over 40% of websites globally, with companies like Automattic and WP Engine offering hosting and services built on its open-source framework. This legal clash has sparked debates about:
- Open-Source Governance: Questions about Mullenweg’s influence over WordPress.org, despite its community-driven ethos.
- Fair Contributions: Mullenweg previously criticized WP Engine for insufficient contributions to WordPress’s development, raising discussions about equitable support for open-source projects.
Reactions from Both Sides
Automattic: Vowed to continue fighting, stating the ruling was preliminary and made without full legal review.
“Today’s ruling is designed to maintain the status quo… We will file counterclaims shortly.”
WP Engine: Hailed the decision as a win for ecosystem stability.
“The order brings back much-needed security to WordPress. We’re focused on serving customers and collaborating with the community.”
Why This Matters
The case highlights tensions between commercial interests and open-source ideals in one of the web’s most pivotal platforms. For developers and businesses reliant on WordPress, the outcome could set precedents for fair access, plugin ownership, and community accountability.
For deeper context, explore The WordPress vs. WP Engine Drama, Explained.
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