Operation Bluebird, a startup founded by trademark attorneys Michael Peroff and Stephen Coates, has submitted a petition to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeking to cancel X Corp.’s ownership of the “Twitter” and “Tweet” trademarks. The founders argue that these trademarks have been “abandoned” by the company owned by Elon Musk, following the rebranding of Twitter to “X.”
The startup has also filed a trademark application for “Twitter” in connection with a new social media platform they plan to launch, named Twitter.new. Coates stated that the new platform will resemble the original Twitter but will incorporate tools aimed at enhancing user safety and content engagement.
In its petition, Operation Bluebird claims that X Corp. has abandoned its trademark rights and is making false statements to the USPTO. According to U.S. trademark law, to prove abandonment, one must show that the trademark has not been used for three consecutive years or that the owner has discontinued its use without intention to resume.
Musk changed Twitter’s name to “X” after acquiring the company in 2022 and has since redirected traffic from Twitter.com to X.com. Prior to the rebranding, Musk indicated that he intended to phase out the Twitter brand.
Legal experts have noted that Operation Bluebird may have a compelling case for claiming trademark abandonment, but they also mention the existence of residual goodwill—meaning the Twitter brand may still retain value and user association despite the name change.
X Corp. has until February to respond to the petition, and if contested, the judicial process could extend for several years. Operation Bluebird remains optimistic about its position and readiness for a potential legal battle.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/report/841994/operation-bluebird-twitter-trademarks-petition