Tesla has filed new trademark applications for “Cybercab” and “Robotaxi.” These filings come after earlier attempts were turned down by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Previous Trademark attempts rejected
Earlier this month, the USPTO rejected Tesla’s request to trademark “Robotaxi.” The agency said the term was too general and only described the type of service Tesla offers. In the rejection notice, the USPTO examiner wrote,
“Such wording appears to be generic in the context of applicant’s goods and/or services.”
Tesla now has three months to respond to this “nonfinal office action” or the application will be dropped.
“Cybercab” has faced similar problems. The USPTO had concerns about overlap with existing trademarks, especially those linked to other companies offering Cybertruck-related parts or products. These conflicts put the application on hold.
Why the trademarks matter
Tesla wants full control over the names tied to its driverless ride service. In October 2024, the company showed off its new electric “Cybercab.” It’s a small car with gullwing doors, no steering wheel, and a target price under $30,000. Production is planned for 2026.
Getting the trademarks approved would help Tesla keep a tight grip on its brand. It would also protect the names as it expands into ride-hailing with fully autonomous vehicles.
The trademark setbacks haven’t slowed Tesla’s rollout. The company still plans to start a paid driverless ride service in Austin, Texas by June 2025. At first, it will use Model Y cars. The shift to purpose-built Cybercabs will come later, once they’re in production.
Ongoing legal and technical challenges
Trademark issues aren’t Tesla’s only problem. Tests from last year showed that Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” system still needs a lot of human input, one correction every 13 miles, on average. On top of that, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still investigating several safety concerns tied to Tesla’s driver-assist tech.
The company is also facing a lawsuit from Alcon Entertainment. Tesla reportedly tried to connect its vehicles to the film “Blade Runner 2049” without getting permission from the rights holders.
What comes next
Tesla will now try to convince the USPTO that “Cybercab” and “Robotaxi” are closely linked to its brand. To do that, it may need to show that the public sees these names as Tesla products, not just general terms for driverless cars.
Observers will be watching to see if Tesla takes a new approach in these applications or changes what products or services it links to the trademarks. The goal remains clear: lock down the rights to two key names in its push toward autonomous transportation.
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