Tesla is facing problems everywhere they turn it seems. Their latest issue centers around their new “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” that the company announced in October of 2024. They applied for a trademark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the same day. Musk is looking to change the fortunes of Tesla with their new “robotaxi” service that he wanted to launch in June. Tesla’s self-driving technology still has a long way to go, but this was not the reason for the USPTO to deny the trademark.
Why have the USPTO refused Tesla’s trademark application?
The problems that Tesla and Musk have been facing is mounting. Some have speculated that Tesla’s problems could come to an end if Musk vacates his CEO position. With his disastrous public relations taking center stage at the moment, Musk is eager to find a new way for Tesla to become relevant in the automotive sector once again.
In October, Tesla and Musk revealed their plans to launch a self-driving “robotaxi” service that they planned to launch in Austin, Texas. On the same day, Tesla filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. After some time, the USPTO have made their decision. To Musk’s dismay, they have denied the application. On very specific grounds. Claiming the term was too generic and not specific enough.
One might suspect the problem was the self-driving technology, but not so. The USPTO have denied the application due to the term “robotaxi” being far too generic. They have stated that other companies have similar wording in their trademarks. Tesla were not specific in their details regarding the use of the name. A range of other companies have used the “cyber” or “robo” wording in their trademarks, with specific details being mentioned.
How can Tesla and Elon Musk find a way to deal with the latest problem?
Tesla will have three months to appeal the decision. They will need to provide a range of details and marketing material to get the USPTO to reconsider their application. If they have not done so in the three months provided, the USPTO will close the application. Musk has put a lot into the PR behind his “robotaxi” and Tesla views it as the next step in the automotive innovation.
Some have speculated that Musk might make use of his position in the Department of Government Efficiency(DOGE) as a “special government employee” to make cuts to the U.S. Department of Commerce that oversees the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He has done this before, which led to the disastrous backlash from the American public.
With Musk a the helm, DOGE made a 4% cut to the NHTSA employees. Some have speculated that this is a retaliation to the no fewer than 50 recall notices for Tesla cars between 2021 and 2024. Will he make the same cuts to the USPTO? Musk is doing his best to change the fortunes and public image of Tesla to get it back to a point that made him the richest man in the world.
Can Tesla make a return to the top of the automotive mountain?
The automotive sector is changing at a rapid pace. The legendary automotive brands are making an entry into the EV market. With all the problems facing Tesla and Musk, this is just the latest problem to deal with. The USPTO falls under the US Department of Commerce, a government institution that has a huge impact on the US economy. DOGE has been cutting federal employees in a range of government institutions, much to the dismay and fury of the American public. Time is ticking for Tesla to make changes to their application, we suspect they will not bother.
