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, based on a brand new submitting. One other utility by Tesla to trademark the time period “Robotaxi” for its upcoming ride-hailing service is still under examination by the workplace.
As well as, applications from Tesla for the trademark on the time period “Cybercab” have been halted as a consequence of different corporations pursuing related “Cyber” emblems. That features one company which has utilized for quite a few emblems associated to aftermarket Cybertruck equipment.
The USPTO issued Tuesday what’s generally known as a “nonfinal workplace motion” on the “Robotaxi” trademark utility which implies Tesla has three months to file a response or the workplace will abandon the appliance. A trademark lawyer representing Tesla didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Tesla applied for the emblems in October 2024 on the identical day that it revealed the so-called Cybercab, the purpose-built electrical automotive that it hopes to in the future use in its deliberate autonomous ride-hailing service. Tesla additionally submitted two related trademark functions October 10 for the time period “Robobus,” that are nonetheless beneath examination.
The trademark that was refused was assigned to a USPTO examiner on April 14. Tesla mentioned it might use the phrase in reference to “Land automobiles; electrical automobiles, particularly vehicles; vehicles; and structural elements therefor,” based on the unique utility.
Whereas the USPTO examiner discovered there have been no conflicting emblems in existence, it refused the appliance as a result of it was “merely descriptive.” The examiner wrote that the time period “Robotaxi” is “used to explain related 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 will probably be allowed to submit proof and arguments to help its argument in favor of the trademark. If it does, the USPTO desires Tesla to offer: “Reality 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 “rivals” use the phrases “ROBO, ROBOT, or ROBOTIC to promote related 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 functions.