WP Engine’s uses of those marks to describe its services – as all companies in this space do – are fair uses under settled trademark law and consistent with WordPress’ own guidelines.”
The back and forth between WordPress, Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine omits this little detail but it suggests that Automattic is licensed to enforce trademarks on behalf of the WordPress Foundation.
Implications Of Trademark Filing
The trademark application could have an impact on web hosts that use the phrases “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress” because the WordPress Foundation would be able to enforce their ownership of the phrase or ask for licensing fees.
The WordPress Foundation’s role in this trademark application is to assert legal control over the terms “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress” so as to control what entities are able to use those phrases.
If the trademark application passes examination then there is supposed to be a period of time where third parties can file objections to the trademark application.
Read the trademark applications here:
Managed WordPress Trademark Application
Hosted WordPress Trademark Application
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