159 employees leave WordPress founder’s company after extortion lawsuit

In a bold move, Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and led by Matt Mullenweg, has responded to a lawsuit filed by WP Engine, calling the allegations “baseless” and “meritless.” The lawsuit, which names Automattic, Mullenweg, and WordPress.org as defendants, has been met with a strong denial from Automattic, which is now preparing to vigorously defend itself in court.

Automattic Denies Allegations

In a statement released on October 3, 2024, Automattic described WP Engine’s complaint as fundamentally flawed, from start to finish. The company emphasized that WP Engine’s accusations represent a “gross mischaracterization of reality” and reiterated its confidence in its legal position.

Automattic’s official statement, titled “Meritless”, asserts: “Our focus has always been protecting the integrity of WordPress and our mission to democratize publishing.” The company has committed to “vigorously litigate” against what it sees as a baseless filing and is prepared to pursue all available remedies to defend its reputation and operations.

Top Legal Representation

In response to the lawsuit, Automattic has secured Neal Katyal, a former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, and his legal team at Hogan Lovells LLP. Katyal is a well-known figure in legal circles, having represented high-profile clients in critical cases. He has a track record of success in litigation and has consistently prevailed in cases against Quinn Emanuel, the firm representing WP Engine in this matter.

Katyal expressed his confidence in Automattic’s position, stating:

“I stayed up last night reading WP Engine’s Complaint, trying to find any merit anywhere to it. The whole thing is meritless, and we look forward to the federal court’s consideration of their lawsuit.” (source)

Katyal’s involvement signals Automattic’s commitment to fighting the allegations with the highest level of legal expertise.

Commitment to WordPress and Publishing

In addition to contesting the lawsuit, Automattic underscored its dedication to its core mission—protecting WordPress and promoting open publishing. Matt Mullenweg, a long-standing advocate for open-source software, has always emphasized the importance of serving WordPress’s massive global user base. Over 40% of websites on the internet are powered by WordPress, a platform known for its accessibility and ease of use for bloggers, businesses, and developers alike (source).

Automattic reinforced this focus in its official response: “From our earliest days, our highest priority has always been our customers. WP Engine can hardly say the same.” (Automattic Official Blog)

Industry Reactions and Next Steps

The lawsuit and Automattic’s swift and forceful response have attracted considerable attention across the tech industry. Analysts and commentators are closely watching the developments, particularly in light of Automattic’s influence on the broader WordPress ecosystem.

Forbes has highlighted that “legal disputes involving major tech companies can have lasting impacts not only on those involved but on the technology ecosystem as a whole.” The outcome of this case could influence the dynamics between Automattic and WP Engine, two pivotal players in the WordPress hosting and services market.

As the legal battle unfolds, Automattic has expressed confidence in its position and readiness to defend its standing as a trusted steward of WordPress. Industry insiders agree that Automattic’s strategy in defending itself could set a precedent for how disputes within the open-source community are handled, especially when they involve key contributors to the platform.

Conclusion

The fallout from WP Engine’s lawsuit and the response from Automattic may shape the future of their relationship and the WordPress ecosystem at large. As Automattic prepares for the courtroom battle, its focus remains clear: defending WordPress and continuing its mission to democratize publishing for users worldwide.

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