Tesla’s try to trademark the time period “Robotaxi” in reference to its automobiles has been refused by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace for being too generic, in keeping with a brand new submitting. One other utility by Tesla to trademark the time period “Robotaxi” for its upcoming ride-hailing service is nonetheless underneath examination by the workplace.
As well as, purposes from Tesla for the trademark on the time period “Cybercab” have been halted resulting from different corporations pursuing comparable “Cyber” logos. That features one firm which has utilized for quite a few logos associated to aftermarket Cybertruck equipment.
The USPTO issued Tuesday what’s generally known as a “nonfinal workplace motion” on the “Robotaxi” trademark utility which suggests Tesla has three months to file a response or the workplace will abandon the applying. A trademark lawyer representing Tesla didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Tesla utilized for the logos in October 2024 on the identical day that it revealed the so-called Cybercab, the purpose-built electrical automotive that it hopes to at some point use in its deliberate autonomous ride-hailing service. Tesla additionally submitted two comparable trademark purposes October 10 for the time period “Robobus,” that are nonetheless underneath examination.
The trademark that was refused was assigned to a USPTO examiner on April 14. Tesla mentioned it could use the phrase in reference to “Land automobiles; electrical automobiles, specifically cars; cars; and structural elements therefor,” in keeping with the unique utility.
Whereas the USPTO examiner discovered there have been no conflicting logos in existence, it refused the applying as a result of it was “merely descriptive.” The examiner wrote that the time period “Robotaxi” is “used to explain comparable items and providers by different corporations.”
“[S]uch wording seems to be generic within the context of applicant’s items and/or providers,” the examiner wrote.
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Tesla shall be allowed to submit proof and arguments to assist its argument in favor of the trademark. If it does, the USPTO needs Tesla to offer: “Truth sheets, instruction manuals, brochures, commercials and pertinent screenshots of applicant’s web site because it pertains to the products and/or providers within the utility, together with any supplies utilizing the phrases within the applied-for mark.”
In different phrases, Tesla wants to provide the company particular plans for the way and why it deserves the “Robotaxi” trademark.
The examiner additionally wrote that Tesla might want to inform the USPTO if “opponents” use the phrases “ROBO, ROBOT, or ROBOTIC to promote comparable items and/or providers.”
Tesla’s different utility for the “Robotaxi” trademark would cowl using the phrase when providing transportation providers, together with “coordinating journey preparations for people and for teams,” “arranging time-based ridesharing providers,” and providing car sharing or leases. That utility was additionally assigned to a USPTO examiner on April 14, however no choice has been filed.
This story has been up to date to incorporate details about the “Cybercab” trademark purposes.