Elon Musk was overtaken on the wire by a Corsican company that no one had heard of. The story could make you smile if it did not pose a real legal problem for Tesla, which now sees its robot taxi blocked by a simple question of intellectual property.
The day Tesla forgot to protect his baby
In October 2024, Elon Musk takes the stage to unveil the Cybercab, his autonomous taxi intended to revolutionize urban transport. Futuristic design, excessive technological promises, the usual show from the Tesla boss is in full swing. But behind the scenes, no one is thinking of registering the “Cybercab” trademark with the American administration. A negligence that will surely be costly.
Eighteen days later, on October 28, 2024, Ubilev rushes into the breach. This Ajaccian company specializing in the distribution of drinks Quietly files “Cybercab” trademark with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. When Tesla finally wakes up in November to take the same action, it is too late, the automaker’s demand remains frozen until further notice.
Production of the Cybercab has already started in the group’s Texan factory, but it is impossible to officially sell it under this name without resolving the dispute with Ubilev. A real blow for an error so basic that it seems unthinkable for a company with such a high stock market listing.
Ubilev, specialist in Tesla brand squatting
This maneuver is not just a stroke of luck for Ubilev. The Corsican company has clearly applied a strategy that has been in place for several years. It already has three registered trademarks using the name “ Teslaquila », directly taking the name of the high-end tequila that Elon Musk launched in limited edition. Each time, it’s the same scenario, Ubilev anticipates Tesla’s moves and registers the brands before the manufacturer.
It’s hard to believe in chance when you observe this repetitive pattern. Ubilev is clearly monitoring Tesla announcements and projects to identify potential business names. Once the deposit is made, the company finds itself in a strong position to negotiate. Tesla can either wait until the brand is discontinued or cash out. A legal, but controversial, technique which takes advantage of loopholes in the management of intellectual property rights.
How much will Tesla pay to get its Cybercab back?
Apparently, negotiations are underway between Tesla and Ubilev. No amount filters at the moment, but we can bet that the bill will be steep. When we block the launch of a strategic product for a technological giant valued at several hundred billion dollars, we would not sell off our rights for a few thousand euros.
For Tesla, the issue goes far beyond the simple financial cost. The Cybercab represents a major pillar of Elon Musk’s autonomous driving strategy. The manufacturer plans to deploy a fleet of robotic taxis to compete with Uber and other VTC platforms. Changing the name of the vehicle at this stage would involve reviewing all communication, marketing and potentially creating confusion in the minds of the public.
Ubilev knows this perfectly and can therefore set its Price. In this type of situation, brand buyout agreements can reach several million dollars, especially when the owning company has no pressing reason to divest. For a drinks distribution company based in Corsica, the jackpot is unexpected. A lesson in intellectual property that will cost Elon Musk a pretty penny.
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