Electric carmaker Tesla’s attempt to name its self-driving car “Cybercab” has hit a trademark hurdle.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has suspended Tesla’s trademark application, preventing the company from owning the Cybercab name.
As Electrek shared, USPTO attorney Meghan Reinhart cited two major issues that would prevent Tesla from claiming “Cybercab.” One is a “likelihood of confusion” due to an existing registration for the name, and the other is a previously filed application that predates Tesla’s filing.
Although Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the name “Cybercab” at an event on October 10, 2024, the company didn’t actually file a trademark application for the name until the next month.
During this period, French beverage company Unibev submitted its own application for the “Cybercab” name and was successful.
According to Electrek, Tesla and Unibev are negotiating over trademark matters but have not yet reached an agreement.
The public already associates Tesla’s self-driving cars with the name “Cybercab.” If forced to choose a new name, Tesla would likely need to undergo a massive rebranding and reorient its customers toward a less familiar concept.
However, Electrek noted that publicly announcing a major product without applying for a trademark is an irresponsible business practice. It could also force Tesla to spend additional money to acquire rights to the name from Unibev.
Electrek described the accident as “amateur time,” further fueling public perceptions of a Tesla brand already strained amid stagnant sales, political controversy and lawsuits.
As a global leader in clean energy electric vehicles, Tesla is often the subject of headlines, controversy and debate.
However, it’s also important to consider the broader picture of the electric vehicle industry, and remember that Tesla is just one of many car brands contributing to cleaner, greener driving.
If you decide that owning and driving a Tesla isn’t for you, there are plenty of electric vehicles to choose from. For example, you might fall in love with an electric car model from Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, or many other competing brands.