[legitster]

TL;DR: This is a huge verdict against Automattic. To get an injunction like this is a really high bar - you have to prove that you have a winnable case AND that you/the public is actively being harmed right now and it can't wait until trial.

The injunction covers almost everything relevant - returning ACF, taking down the website tracker, removing the checkbox, etc. Basically return everything as it was before Matt became a supervillain the day of Wordcamp.

[pclmulqdq]

This is a huge sign that the case against Matt is a slam dunk. The writing in injunctions like this is indicative of the court's thinking based on the pleadings, and they have basically regurgitated the complaint while adding on more evidence from Matt being an ass on social media, which suggests that the judge has a strong preference.

[FireBeyond]

Right - not just a preliminary injunction but basically the Court dismisses basically every argument put forth by Automattic in all even claims as "not withstanding scrutiny", "not supported by evidence", and "a consequence of their own actions". Throughout the document, there is -very- little that says Automattic's defense to any of this has any substance.

[DannyBee]

Uh, yeah, and in fact, the judge found likelihood of success on the tortuious interference claim which basically never happens, and so didn't bother to deal with the unfair competition part.

That's remarkably bad for Automattic - tortuious interference is often a throwaway claim.

The judge here clearly does not think much of Automattic's positions.

I wonder if Neal found the merit yet[1].

[1] https://automattic.com/2024/10/03/meritless/

[adgjlsfhk1]

Automattic made the unusual choice of publishing a blog saying "We did a tortuous interference intentionally" which makes it a lot easier.

[flootz]

I don't know if Neal has found the merit yet, but Automattic seems to be losing their company lawyers at a pace of one per week since a couple of months ago. That seems a pretty good indicator of where the legal department of the company sees things going towards.