A class action lawsuit has been filed against Automattic and its founder Matt Mullenweg, intensifying an ongoing conflict with web hosting provider WP Engine (WPE). The lawsuit, initiated by Ryan Keller of Keller Holdings, claims Automattic deliberately disrupted business operations by blocking access to critical WordPress resources.
The dispute emerged in September 2024 when Automattic restricted WPE's access to WordPress software updates, security patches, and plugins, affecting hundreds of thousands of websites. Keller, who builds websites for clients and has used WPE's services for over a decade, seeks damages and a permanent injunction to prevent Automattic from interfering with competitors.
The class action covers all U.S.-based WPE customers with active hosting plans between September and December 2024. While Automattic cites trademark infringement as the reason for its actions, the lawsuit alleges this was an attempt to extract substantial payments from WPE for WordPress trademark usage.
This legal challenge follows a December ruling where a U.S. district judge granted WPE a preliminary injunction, ordering Automattic to restore access to WordPress resources and remove a public list of WPE customers.
Automattic has dismissed the new lawsuit as meritless, maintaining its commitment to open-source principles. The company expresses confidence in prevailing in court.
The case raises broader concerns about open-source software control. Keller's complaint suggests Automattic's actions could damage internet infrastructure if unchallenged. A ruling against Automattic could establish precedent limiting single-company control over open-source projects and trademark enforcement.
The dispute particularly resonates given WordPress's foundational promise of being "free and available to everyone forever" - a commitment that has helped it power over 40 percent of websites worldwide.