Automattic responded with its own cease-and-desist letter, alleging that WP Engine had breached WordPress and WooCommerce trademark usage rules. The WordPress Foundation also updated its Trademark policy page, calling out WP Engine for confusing users and failing to contribute to the open-source project. Mullenweg then banned WP Engine from accessing the resources of WordPress.org, which led to a breakdown in the normal operation of the WordPress ecosystem. This move prevented many websites from updating plug-ins and themes, leaving them vulnerable to security attacks.