PATENT

 

Tesla, Inc files new Trademark application for "TESLA ROBOTAXI" after setbacks with generic terms

 TESLA ROBOTAXI

Tesla is renewing its efforts to secure a trademark for its autonomous vehicle service by filing a new application for the term "Tesla Robotaxi." This move comes after previous attempts to trademark more generic names like "Robotaxi" and "Cybercab" were hindered by regulatory challenges.

Last month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) informed the company that its application for "Robotaxi" lacked sufficient specificity, noting that the term is widely used by other companies in the industry.

The latest trademark application for "Tesla Robotaxi" was filed on May 30, 2025, under US Serial Number: 99211111, with Tesla, Inc., a Texas-based corporation, listed as the owner.

Trademark Infringement: Even Brief Consumer Confusion is Enough, Rules Delhi High Court

In a significant ruling on trademark law, the Delhi High Court has held that even momentary confusion in the mind of a consumer is sufficient to establish trademark infringement under Indian law. The decision came in the case of Under Armour Inc. v. Anish Agarwal & Anr., where American sportswear company Under Armour, Inc. successfully restrained an Indian clothing brand from using the mark “AERO ARMOUR.”

The ruling, delivered by a division bench on May 23, 2025, pertains to trademark Class 25, which includes clothing, footwear, and headgear. The Court emphasized that the duration of consumer confusion is immaterial; even short-lived or initial confusion can fulfill the criteria for deceptive similarity under Section 29 of the Trade Marks Act 1999.

The confusion, albeit limited to the initial stage, is sufficient to satisfy the condition of deceptive similarity as contemplated under Section 29 of the Trade Marks Act," the bench observed.