X Reinforces “Twitter” Trademark in Terms of Service Amid Legal Battle with Startup

Elon Musk’s social media company, X, is taking a firm stance in its ongoing legal tussle over the “Twitter” trademark. The company has updated its Terms of Service to clearly state that it retains ownership of the Twitter name and related trademarks, a move that comes in response to a challenge from a Virginia-based startup. Operation Bluebird recently filed an application to claim the Twitter trademark, arguing that X abandoned the brand after rebranding to “X.”

Operation Bluebird’s petition, submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on December 2, pointed to Musk’s 2023 statement that X would soon “bid adieu to the Twitter brand.” The startup, led by two lawyers including founder Michael Peroff and former Twitter trademark attorney Stephen Coates, has been promoting a new social platform at Twitter.new, seemingly positioning itself to acquire the valuable trademark rather than launch a competing service.

X quickly responded by filing a countersuit to assert its exclusive rights to the Twitter and Tweet trademarks, along with the iconic bluebird logo. The company maintains that, despite the rebrand, its ownership of the Twitter brand remains intact. Legal documents shared with TechCrunch via Gerben IP confirm X’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property.

The updated Terms of Service, set to take effect on January 15, 2026, explicitly prevent users from using the Twitter or X names, logos, domain names, or any other brand features without written consent. Previously, the terms only mentioned X, leaving room for potential trademark disputes. This update is part of a broader revision that also touches on EU regulations and generated content policies, alongside minor updates to X’s Privacy Policy regarding age assurance technology.

This latest development highlights the ongoing complexities of brand ownership in the tech world, especially when companies undergo significant rebranding. For users and investors, the countersuit signals X’s commitment to protecting its legacy and intellectual property, even as it evolves beyond its original identity as Twitter.

source: Techcrunch