Introduction to the Controversy
A controversy has erupted in the WordPress community after Automattic, the company founded by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg, sent a trademark complaint letter to WordPress developer Kevin Geary. The letter asked Geary to rebrand his WordPress CSS framework, Automatic.css, due to its similarity to Automattic, which could potentially lead to consumer confusion.
Who is Kevin Geary?
Kevin Geary is a well-respected and popular member of the WordPress developer community. He has been actively involved in the community since 2005 and is currently developing a WordPress page builder called EtchWP. Geary is also the creator of the widely acclaimed CSS framework, Automatic CSS (ACSS), which simplifies design consistency within a website and easily integrates with popular page builders like Bricks, Gutenberg, and Oxygen.
The Issue with WordPress’s Block Editor
Geary has been vocal about his criticism of WordPress’s native Block Editor, documenting his attempts to use it and highlighting the numerous issues that need fixing. He has expressed his concerns about the editor’s inefficiency and impracticality, stating that it is not suitable for beginner, intermediate, or advanced web developers. Geary’s criticism has sparked a stir in the community, with many agreeing with his assessment of the Block Editor’s limitations.
Automattic’s Letter to Geary
The letter sent by Automattic’s lawyers to Geary requested that he rebrand his CSS framework, citing concerns about consumer confusion due to the similarity between "Automatic" and "Automattic." The letter stated that Automattic owns many trademark registrations for its Automattic mark, covering various software brands and services, including WordPress.com. The company claimed that the use of a nearly identical name and trademark could lead to consumer confusion and dilution of the Automattic mark.
Social Media Response
Geary tweeted a copy of the letter, which sparked a mixed reaction from the community. While some people questioned Geary’s choice of name for his CSS framework, others were supportive, with many expressing their disagreement with Automattic’s actions. Matt Mullenweg responded to Geary’s tweet, stating that he "owns" the automatic.com domain, but Geary pointed out that owning a domain name is not the same as owning a trademark.
The Debate Continues
The controversy has highlighted the complexities of trademark law and the potential for confusion in the WordPress community. Geary has not announced his next move, and the community is waiting to see how the situation will unfold. Many are hoping that the drama will fade, allowing everyone to focus on making WordPress better.
Conclusion
The dispute between Automattic and Kevin Geary has sparked a heated debate in the WordPress community. While Automattic claims that the similarity between "Automatic" and "Automattic" could lead to consumer confusion, Geary argues that his CSS framework’s name is justified and does not infringe on Automattic’s trademark. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the community will respond and what the outcome will be for Geary’s Automatic.css framework. One thing is certain, however: the WordPress community is passionate about its platforms and tools, and it will not hesitate to speak out when it feels that someone is being unfairly targeted.