The name Meta already exists; but of course it does.
The branding was peacefully in use by an Arizona-based computer and tech accessory maker called Meta PCs until Facebook announced on October 28 that it would now go by the name of Meta. The overhaul marked the start of its building of a metaverse where people can interact in immersive ways, beyond the social network of the same name and affiliated services like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
A document registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reveals that Facebook also filed a trademark for the moniker that day. Meanwhile, Meta PCs, which has emblazoned the ‘Meta’ name on products since November 2020, applied to protect it in August this year.
Insider notes that both requests have not been approved yet, so Meta still belongs up in the air, or, should we say, metaverse.
It’s also worth considering that—given that both businesses provide differing products and services, and that trademarks only cover goods and services they’ve registered for—it’s possible Meta and Meta PCs would get to keep their trademarks so long as they don’t release overlapping products. However, the Facebook-owned company could still find the means to gain autonomy of the name in the tech world.
As a small company with only 25 employees, the loss of a name could severely hinder the recognition that Meta PCs has built. “We’ve bootstrapped this company with our own personal funds,”founder Zach Shutt told the Guardian. “When we learned Facebook chose the same name, it was obviously a concern that we would lose whatever organic reach we had worked hard to build.” The firm has also made “sizable investments” in branded content and influencer partnerships under the Meta PCs name.
However threatened the startup may be, Meta PCs refuses to express it online. It’s, instead, shared a number of memes poking fun at Facebook for taking its name.
damn zuck. just tell us you want to makeout already. pic.twitter.com/bxkJe30qxH
But TMZ has also reported that Meta PCs’ co-founders, Schutt and Joe Darger, might be willing to give up the name if they’re offered US$20 million by Facebook, whose CEO is the fifth richest person in the world.
A source affiliated with Facebook, on the other hand, reportedly told TMZ that the conglomerate isn’t too bothered about not being able to obtain approval for the trademark.
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