Tesla is preparing backup branding options for its upcoming autonomous vehicle, filing new trademark applications for the terms “Cybercar” and “Cybervehicle.”
The new filings come as the company works through ongoing legal and regulatory challenges surrounding its planned Cybercab name.
Tesla’s original plan centered around the “Cybercab” name, which was unveiled alongside the company’s robotaxi ambitions. However, that trademark effort hit a major obstacle when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) suspended Tesla’s application.
The suspension stems primarily from a prior filing by Unibev, a French beverage company, which submitted its own trademark application for “Cybercab” before Tesla formally filed its paperwork. Under U.S. trademark law, earlier filings generally take precedence, forcing Tesla’s application into limbo until the dispute is resolved.
At the same time, Tesla’s attempt to trademark the term “Robotaxi” was also rejected because regulators determined the term was too generic to qualify for exclusive ownership.
These setbacks have effectively forced Tesla to explore alternative branding options, resulting in its latest filings for “Cybercar” and “Cybervehicle,” bringing the total number of naming options to four.
Whether Tesla decides to go with these new names remains to be seen, as they were first mentioned seemingly off-hand by CEO Elon Musk during Tesla’s Q4 earnings call last month. During that call, Musk said that alternative naming strategies could be necessary depending on regulatory requirements and trademark outcomes.
This multi-name approach gives Tesla flexibility to adapt depending on regulatory approvals, trademark outcomes, or regional naming restrictions. In some U.S. states, Tesla is not allowed to use the words “Cab” or “Taxi.”
Despite the trademark complications, Tesla continues advancing toward launching its purpose-built robotaxi, which is scheduled to start production in less than two months.
