The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected Tesla’s attempt to trademark the term “Robotaxi” for use with its autonomous vehicles, according to a report by TechCrunch. The agency determined the word was too generic to be registered exclusively by the electric carmaker.
In a filing made public this month, the USPTO issued a “nonfinal office action” regarding Tesla’s trademark application, giving the company three months to respond before the application is officially abandoned. This means Tesla still has an opportunity to appeal or submit additional arguments to keep the application active.
A separate Tesla application for the “Robotaxi” trademark, intended for an upcoming autonomous ride-hailing service, is still under review. However, its outcome remains uncertain as the office scrutinizes whether such widely used terms can receive exclusive legal protection.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s efforts to trademark the term “Cybercab” have also faced roadblocks, as other companies are seeking similar “Cyber” trademarks, further complicating the company’s branding strategy for its new mobility services.
Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment on the USPTO decisions. The company recently announced that its rollout of a paid autonomous ride-hailing service remains on track for June in Austin, Texas, with the new robotaxi fleet expected to begin offering rides later this year.
Despite these product plans, Tesla warned investors in April that changing global trade dynamics could impact growth forecasts and create challenges for its automotive and energy supply chains. The company acknowledged that shifting political sentiment in the U.S. and abroad could have a meaningful effect on short-term demand for its products.
