Tesla has filed a new trademark application for “Tesla Robotaxi” following the USPTO’s refusal to approve its original “Robotaxi” application. Tesla’s initial attempts to secure exclusive rights to generic autonomous vehicle terms hit regulatory roadblocks, forcing a strategic pivot to more distinctive branding. Trademark shuffle comes as Tesla prepares to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service testing in Austin later this month.
The original trademark applications for “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” faced significant challenges from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. USPTO requested additional information for the “Robotaxi” application, citing widespread use of the term by competitors including Waymo. Meanwhile, the “Cybercab” application was rejected outright due to the prevalence of “Cyber” prefixes across multiple company trademarks.
Tesla Files New “Tesla Robotaxi” Trademark
Tesla’s new approach involves three separate trademark applications under the “Tesla Robotaxi” designation, covering the autonomous ride-hailing service, mobile applications, and the vehicles themselves. This strategic naming convention should face fewer regulatory hurdles since it incorporates Tesla’s established brand identity rather than attempting to claim generic industry terms.
The timing presents an interesting challenge for Tesla’s rollout plans. While the company intends to begin autonomous ride-hailing testing this month in Austin, the trademark review process typically requires several months for completion. This means Tesla will likely launch its service before securing final trademark protection for its branding.
Beyond the Tesla Robotaxi applications, the company has also filed for “Robobus,” “Robus,” and “Cyberbus” trademarks.
With testing scheduled to begin imminently and trademark applications pending, Tesla appears ready to taxi its way into the autonomous vehicle market regardless of final USPTO decisions.
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