Tesla applied for a trademark for both the name Tesla and its ‘T’ logo to sell audio equipment under its own brand name, according to a report from electrek.
It’s not exactly clear how Tesla might use the trademark, especially since many companies apply for trademarks that end up going unused, though the category allows for a wide range of audio equipment which would allow Tesla to make headphones, microphones and various other pieces of audio-related hardware.
Tesla Smartphone Concept Now Includes…Cybertruck Earphones [VIDEO] https://t.co/Wsy0XNPcJ1
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) January 14, 2022
In the application, Tesla wrote, “TESLA™ trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of microphones; headphones; earphones; digital audio players; sound transmitting apparatus; audio speakers; subwoofers; earpads for headphones; audio interfaces; audio equalizer apparatus; horns for loudspeakers; megaphones.”
While the trademark is broad enough that Tesla could be preparing to launch a line of audio products, it could also simply mean that the automaker plans to upgrade its in-car audio offerings, though it isn’t yet clear what the filing will mean for upcoming vehicle models and products.
The audio systems in Tesla vehicles are already some of the best in the auto industry. Elon Musk confirmed back in 2019 the company’s audio engineers come from Bang & Olufsen, and continue to improve with over-the-air software updates.
Tesla audio engineers come from B&O & many other companies. They literally rōq. Our system is highly programmable, so we keep improving it via OTA codec updates.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2019
Recent updates to Tesla’s Model 3 and Y units saw the removal of the company’s center instrument panel speaker, leaving 13 speakers and a subwoofer in these models.
