Automattic, which is the company behind WordPress.com, is the largest contributor to the WordPress project, and Mullenweg has long been a dominant figure in the community. WP Engine, on the other hand, is an independent hosting provider that has built a reputation for its expertise in WordPress development.

The dispute started when Mullenweg accused WP Engine of not contributing enough to the WordPress project, and accused the company of being a "cancer" to the community. WP Engine responded by filing a lawsuit against Automattic, alleging that the company had violated its trademarks.