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Tesla's plan to use the name "Cybercab" for its self-driving taxi service has hit a roadblock due to Unibev's earlier trademark application. The USPTO has suspended Tesla's application pending a ruling, leaving consumers wondering if they will ever be able to hail a Cybercab ride. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this saga will play out and what implications it will have for the electric vehicle manufacturer and its competitors in the autonomous driving space.
Tesla is involved in a trademark dispute with Unibev over the term "Cybercab," which was initially intended for Tesla's self-driving taxi service. The USPTO has suspended Tesla's application pending a ruling on an earlier Unibev application filed in October 2024. Elon Musk's use of interchangeable terms during the 2024 Tesla event announcement raised questions about the company's naming conventions and ability to trademark proprietary terminology. Unibev had previously registered a trademark for "Cybercab" prior to Tesla's application, which may lead to rejection under Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act. Tesla has submitted arguments against rejection, but the USPTO has determined that its claims are not persuasive. The dispute highlights complexities in intellectual property law and the importance of clear communication in branding efforts.
Tesla, Inc., a leading electric vehicle manufacturer and autonomous driving technology company, has found itself at the center of a trademark dispute with Unibev, a French hard seltzer company. The controversy revolves around the trademark application for the term "Cybercab," which Tesla had initially intended to use as the name for its self-driving taxi service, but was subsequently forced to abandon due to concerns over the genericity of the term.
As revealed in a recent document from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Tesla's application for the "Cybercab" trademark was suspended pending a ruling on an earlier application filed by Unibev. According to sources, Unibev had applied for the trademark for the term "Cybercab" as early as October 28, 2024, mere weeks after Tesla announced its plans to use the name for its self-driving taxi service.
The situation takes a turn for the worse when it is revealed that Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, had used the terms "Cybercab" and "Robotaxi" interchangeably during his 2024 Tesla event announcement. This lack of clarity in naming conventions has led to confusion among consumers and raised questions about the company's ability to trademark its proprietary terminology.
Furthermore, it is reported that Unibev had previously registered a trademark for the term "Cybercab," which was submitted prior to Tesla's application. The USPTO has indicated that if the Unibev mark registers, Tesla's application will be rejected under Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act, which prohibits registration of a mark that is likely to cause confusion with an earlier registered mark.
Tesla has since responded to the USPTO's decision by submitting arguments against rejection, but ultimately, the office has determined that Tesla's claims are not persuasive. In a bizarre twist, it is alleged that Tesla and Unibev may be engaged in negotiations over a potential settlement.
The implications of this trademark dispute extend beyond the realm of intellectual property law. This saga raises questions about corporate rivalries, branding strategies, and the role of social media influencers in shaping public perception.
In conclusion, the saga surrounding Tesla's "Cybercab" trademark highlights the complexities of intellectual property law and the importance of clear communication in branding efforts.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Teslas-Cybercab-Trademark-Saga-A-Tale-of-Intellectual-Property-Infringement-and-Corporate-Rivalry-ehn.shtml
https://gizmodo.com/tesla-may-be-prevented-from-using-the-name-cybercab-2000706545
https://futurism.com/advanced-transport/tesla-loses-trademark-cybercab
Published: Wed Jan 7 05:10:22 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
