Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, filed counterclaims on October 24, 2025. The filing responds to a lawsuit WP Engine brought in October 2024 that accused Automattic and CEO Matt Mullenweg of defamation and abuse of power. Automattic argues that WP Engine misused the WordPress trademark and used misleading marketing while giving little back to the open source project.
Automattic had already taken several steps last year. These included calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress,” sending a cease-and-desist letter over trademark rules, and blocking WP Engine from WordPress.org resources. Automattic also pursued a licensing deal, but says WP Engine negotiated in bad faith.
WP Engine later sued and framed itself as the target of Mullenweg’s attacks. Automattic’s counterclaims describe a shift after Silver Lake invested 250 million dollars in WP Engine. According to the filing, WP Engine moved from fair use to infringement by branding itself as “The WordPress Technology Company,” and by allowing partners to refer to it as “WordPress Engine.”
The counterclaims say WP Engine launched offerings named “Core WordPress” and “Headless WordPress.” Automattic also points to WP Engine’s 5 percent pledge to support the WordPress ecosystem. Automattic asserts that WP Engine did not honor those commitments. The filing states WP Engine feigned interest in a license, then delayed and negotiated in bad faith.
Silver Lake features heavily in the counterclaims. Automattic alleges WP Engine avoided license fees to sustain earnings and valuation targets that would affect Silver Lake’s return. The filing also claims Silver Lake tried to sell WP Engine at a 2 billion dollar valuation but found no buyer, including after outreach to Automattic.
Automattic further alleges WP Engine cut costs in ways that hurt users. The filing says WP Engine removed essential features, lowering product quality and degrading the customer experience.
WP Engine disputed the claims in a statement. The company said its use of the WordPress trademark to refer to the open source software follows longstanding industry practice and qualifies as fair use under settled trademark law. WP Engine said it will defend against the allegations.
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References:
- Automattic counterclaims
- WP Engine lawsuit
- Prior responses and actions
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