Operation Bluebird, a Virginia startup run by two trademark attorneys, has petitioned the USPTO to cancel Twitter-related trademarks it says X Corp. has abandoned after the platform was rebranded to X in July 2023. The filing accuses X of eradicating bird-branded assets and even alleges false statements to the USPTO. Operation Bluebird already controls the domain twitter.new and argues X has no intent to resume use of the Twitter marks; X has until February to respond.
Startup Seeks to Revive the Original Twitter Brand — Operation Bluebird Files USPTO Petition
The Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile device on 7 November, 2013 in London, England (Getty Images)
A Virginia-based startup, Operation Bluebird, has filed a petition with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) asking that certain Twitter trademarks be declared "abandoned" so the startup can reclaim and relaunch the original Twitter brand and experience.
Background
Twitter was rebranded to X in July 2023, nine months after Elon Musk completed his $44 billion acquisition of the company. Although X Corp. still controls the domain Twitter.com, it now redirects to X.com and bird-themed logos and references have largely been removed from the company's public-facing products and marketing.
The Petition
Operation Bluebird's filing argues that X Corp. has abandoned the "Twitter" and "Tweet" trademarks and requests cancellation of the disputed marks. The petition also accuses X of making false statements and declarations to the USPTO in order to maintain those marks.
"The Twitter and Tweet brands have been eradicated from X Corp.'s products, services and marketing, effectively abandoning the storied bird, with no intention to resume use of the mark," the petition states.
"Bluebird hereby petitions to cancel all of the disputed marks... on the basis that X Corp. has legally abandoned its rights in the Twitter brand, with no intention to resume use of the disputed marks, and that it continues to commit fraud on the USPTO through the filing of false statements and declarations."
The filing cites a message from Elon Musk posted on 23 July 2023: "And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds."
Who’s Behind Operation Bluebird
The startup is led by two trademark attorneys, Michael Peroff and Stephen Coates. Coates previously served as Twitter's associate director of trademarks, domain names, and marketing from 2014 to 2016. Operation Bluebird already owns the domain twitter.new, which it says allows people to reserve handles ahead of any potential relaunch.
Next Steps
Mr. Musk and X have until February to respond to the USPTO petition. The outcome will hinge on whether the USPTO finds X has truly abandoned the marks or if the company can demonstrate ongoing use or intent to resume use. The Independent has contacted X for comment.
