Days after Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) changed its parent company’s name, Chicago-based Meta Company accused the social media giant of trademark infringement. The latter recounted the multiple times it rebuffed the offer to buy its name but the former still went ahead with its rebrand.
In a press release by the company’s founder Nate Skulic, the Chicago firm relayed that lawyers representing the California-based tech conglomerate have been “hounding” them to sell the “Meta” name. The offer was initially refused due to the “low offer” that the firm said wouldn’t cover the costs of changing their own name.
“At least two law firms were involved: One in the USA that requested our trademark and domains (Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton), and the other in Europe aggressively contacting trying to get us to sell our domain registrations (Hogan Lovells),” Skulic explained in the statement.
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The Chicago firm’s founder noted that on October 20, 2021, they again declined the offer to buy the name. The attorney on the call representing Facebook declared that “they would respect [the company’s] existing right and registration”.
However, the tech giant’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed through with the announcement and name change to Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta. All of the company’s mobile applications also already feature the new name.
“Facebook stole our name and livelihood,” headlines the press release.
Skulic further relayed that his company has proceeded with legal actions. The company claims negative effects on its business after the social media firm changed its name. “Our new product launch just got delayed because of Facebook. We must deal with these matters,” Skulic added.
The Chicago-based firm promises to “make an announcement earlier than [it] expected” in the coming weeks. Its social media accounts also feature the handle @therealmetacompany. But beyond the press release and its profile photos, there is no other content on its accounts.
Information for this briefing was found via the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
2 Responses
Facebook only changed to “Meta” not “Meta Company” or “Meta Materials”… so just the one word “Meta” is not a trademark infringement.
They may own the trademark for “MetaCompany” but just “Meta” is trademarked by Meta Materials. Note the trademark symbol on their webpage at https://metamaterial.com/
Also notice their webpage has information on their products and patents, like a real business unlike MetaCompany which only started their webpage and social media a couple days after FB made their announcement.
If anyone has a right to the name it’s Meta Materials