Court orders WP Engine's access to WordPress.org be restored
- A California court ordered WP Engine's access to WordPress.org to be restored after a ban implemented by Matt Mullenweg.
- The ruling also demands Automattic to undo actions taken against WP Engine, such as control over the ACF plugin and the removal of a customer list.
- The court's decision aims to stabilize the WordPress ecosystem amidst ongoing legal disputes.
In California, a district court judge, Araceli Martinez-Olguin, issued a preliminary injunction allowing WP Engine to regain access to WordPress.org, the repository for WordPress themes and plugins owned by Matt Mullenweg. This decision was built upon Mullenweg's remarks on September 20, where he labeled WP Engine as a 'cancer to WordPress.' Following this, on September 25, Mullenweg imposed a ban on WP Engine's access, which was made permanent on October 1, prohibiting the company from managing its Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin. Automattic, which owns WordPress.com, subsequently took control of the ACF plugin, forking it into a new version named Secure Custom Fields (SCF). The ruling also directed Automattic to clear a list of WP Engine's customers from the site WordPressenginetracker.com and to remove a controversial checkbox on WordPress.org that required developers to disclose any financial affiliations with WP Engine. According to Automattic, they plan to continue contesting the court's decision, stating that the ruling is a preliminary measure aimed at maintaining the existing situation without thoroughly examining the case's details. WP Engine expressed its gratitude towards the court's order, emphasizing that the decision aims to bring stability back to the WordPress ecosystem and focusing on reinforcing partnerships and enhancing the community's engagement with WordPress users.