X Fires Back, Updates Terms to Protect Twitter Trademark Amid Startup Challenge

X has updated its Terms of Service to assert its continued claim to the Twitter trademark, a move that follows a challenge from a Virginia-based startup, Operation Bluebird, which recently filed an application to trademark the term Twitter. The startup claims that X had abandoned the brand Twitter by renaming its social networking service X. In its petition to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filed on December 2, Operation Bluebird pointed to a post from X owner Elon Musk on July 23, 2023, which proclaimed that the social network would soon bid adieu to the Twitter brand. According to a copy of the filing shared with TechCrunch via IP trademark law firm Gerben IP, X is now challenging that claim with a countersuit of its own. In the filing, X asserts that it continues to exclusively own the Twitter and Tweet trademarks and the bluebird logo. The countersuit marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between X and Operation Bluebird. Michael Peroff, a co-founder of Operation Bluebird, stated that his company's goal is to establish a new social network that is distinct from X. "We're not trying to be Twitter, we're trying to be something new and different," Peroff said in an interview. "We believe that the Twitter brand has been abandoned, and we're seeking to trademark it." The dispute between X and Operation Bluebird has significant implications for the social media landscape. The Twitter brand has been a major player in the industry for over a decade, and its rebranding as X has sparked controversy among users and investors. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the future of social media. In the background, X's decision to rebrand its social network as X was seen as an effort to distance itself from the controversies surrounding the Twitter brand. However, this move has been met with resistance from some users who have expressed loyalty to the Twitter brand. The rebranding effort has also been seen as a strategic move to position X as a major player in the social media industry. Industry experts have weighed in on the dispute, with some expressing skepticism about Operation Bluebird's chances of success. "It's going to be a tough road for Operation Bluebird to establish that X has abandoned the Twitter brand," said one expert. "X has made it clear that it continues to own the Twitter trademark, and it's unlikely that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will side with Operation Bluebird." The current status of the dispute is that X has filed a countersuit against Operation Bluebird, asserting its continued claim to the Twitter trademark. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has not yet made a decision on Operation Bluebird's application to trademark the term Twitter. The outcome of this dispute is likely to be closely watched by the social media industry and investors.