Due to a delay in filing paperwork, the EV maker’s use of ‘Cybercab’ would be void
- French beverage company files for ‘Cybercab’ trademark
- Due to a delay in filing paperwork, the U.S. patent office has suspended Tesla’s application
- All this on the heels of eight Cybercab accidents during pilot testing in Austin, Texas
Tesla’s much-hyped self-driving taxis have had a rough few months. No less than eight accidents involving the driverless cabs have occurred on the streets of Austin, Texas during pilot tests. And now word comes that the EV company failed to register the ‘Cybercab’ trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Due to a delay in filing paperwork, which allowed another company to register the name, the USPTO has suspended Tesla’s application.
According to Electrek, Unibev beat Tesla to the Cybercab trademark punch by a few weeks, meaning the French beverage company owns the name. Oddly, Unibev also owns another Tesla-related name, ‘Teslaquila’ for a since abandoned limited-run liquor brand.
“Action on this application is suspended until the prior-filed application(s) below either registers or abandons,” the USPTO wrote in a letter to Tesla, however, did note that Unibev doesn’t own the trademark yet, as its application is still listed as pending.
According to USPTO guidelines, trademarks must be distinct, have no conflicts with other trademarks used in commerce (or has intent to be) and has the capability that consumers can easily pinpoint that word to a brand. Since Unibev filed first ahead of Tesla, if the trademark clears the pending status, the EV maker’s use of Cybercab would be void.
If that does indeed happen it doesn’t mean Tesla won’t have a remedy to get the name back. Namely, buying the rights to the Cybercab trademark from Unibev.
