A recent Motion to Intervene filed in the WP Engine lawsuit against Automattic and Matt Mullenweg has brought significant attention to the governance of WordPress. The motion, submitted by Michael Willman, a WordPress web developer and moderator of the r/WPDrama subreddit, alleges several claims against Mullenweg, seeking both monetary awards and a reform of WordPress’s governance structure.
Legal Filing Aims to Overhaul WordPress Governance
One of the pivotal requests in the legal filing is the establishment of a WordPress Governance Oversight Board. This board would oversee the governance of the WordPress Foundation, WordPress.org, and other related entities. The motion’s proposed order includes:
“Order Defendant Matt Mullenweg to establish a Governance Oversight Board as defined in the Proposed Order For Contempt filed by Michael Willman.”
Background of the Legal Dispute
Michael Willman, CEO of Redev, a WordPress development and SEO company, claims that being banned by Mullenweg led to substantial financial losses. Willman asserts that the ban, which occurred during a contentious period, resulted in the loss of a $14,500 contract and subsequent client relationships, severely impacting his business.
Willman shared his experience with Search Engine Journal:
“Near the start of this dispute, I lost a large ($14,500) contract as a direct result of being banned by Matt along with everyone else loosely associated. We had just closed the contract mere days before and the client is just seeing all these stories, and they back out.”
Willman’s retaliation claim includes being banned from WordPress platforms and Mullenweg’s inconsistent application of the Code of Conduct. He believes Mullenweg’s actions were unjustified and contributed to his financial and professional losses.
Community Reactions
The Reddit WordPress community has largely supported Willman. One member commented:
“A client backing out of a signed contract ($14,500) because you being banned created a significant change is the most clear-cut example of harm from the WPE bans that I’ve seen so far. F*** MM, and I really hope this is granted.”
Another user expressed admiration for Willman’s handling of the situation:
“Dude you’re my hero ❤”
Claims for Relief
The legal filing lists fifteen claims:
The legal filing lists fifteen claims, among them are:
- Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations
- Mullenweg’s actions disrupted existing contracts, leading to significant financial losses for Willman.
- Intentional Interference with Prospective Economic Relations
- The bans hindered potential business opportunities, damaging Willman’s ability to secure new projects.
- Attempted Extortion
- Mullenweg allegedly offered business referrals conditional on Willman ceasing work with WP Engine and joining Automattic’s affiliate program.
- Libel
- Public claims by Mullenweg of threats of physical violence from Willman were labeled as defamatory and damaging to Willman’s reputation.
- Trade Libel
- Mullenweg’s statements disparaged Willman’s professional services, harming his business and reputation.
- Breach of Contract
- Allegations that Mullenweg’s actions violated the terms of service or agreements within the WordPress community.
- Negligence
- Claims that Mullenweg failed to uphold the standard of care expected in his position, leading to financial harm.
- Fraud
- Accusations of deceitful practices that misled Willman and others in the community.
- Unfair Business Practices
- Assertions that Mullenweg engaged in actions that distorted fair competition within the WordPress ecosystem.
- Misrepresentation
- Claims that Mullenweg provided false or misleading information to justify his actions.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Allegations that Mullenweg failed to act in the best interest of the WordPress community.
- Conversion
- Claims of unauthorized control over Willman’s access to essential WordPress platforms.
- Defamation
- Further claims of slanderous statements made by Mullenweg that harmed Willman’s reputation.
- Civil Conspiracy
- Allegations that Mullenweg conspired with others to harm Willman’s business.
- Violation of the California Unfair Competition Law
- Accusations of engaging in unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent business practices in violation of state law.
Potential Impact of the Motion
This motion challenges the centralized control Mullenweg holds over WordPress, a cornerstone of the open-source community relied upon by millions worldwide. The proposed governance changes aim to democratize decision-making and reduce the influence of a single individual.
Further Reading
For those interested in the legal intricacies, read it in full: Motion to Intervene & Motion for Contempt Filed in WPEngine, Inc. v. Automattic Inc.
Additionally, the Reddit community’s discussion on this topic provides further insights and reactions to the motion.
Conclusion
The outcome of this motion could redefine the governance of WordPress, shifting from individual control to a more collective oversight structure. The case will undoubtedly be closely watched by the WordPress community and beyond as it unfolds.
For those exploring alternatives to WordPress, you can check out other website builders on ChooseWebsiteBuilder.com. This site offers comparisons and reviews of various website building platforms, helping users find the best tool suited to their needs, whether they seek simplicity, customization, or specific features.
