WP Engine won back its four antitrust claims against Automattic and CEO Matt Mullenweg on September 25, when U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín reversed her April 2025 dismissal and found the amended complaint alleges enough market power and harm to competition. Two are tying claims built on the WordPress.org login checkbox that makes users confirm they aren’t affiliated with WP Engine. WP Engine lost its extortion claim for good, however, because she ruled that Automattic’s 2024 licensing fee demand sought payment for something of real value. Automattic’s trademark counterclaims mostly survived, though only the WordPress Foundation and WooCommerce can pursue them, since Automattic and Mullenweg don’t own the marks.
