Tesla’s push to trademark the word “Robotaxi” for its future autonomous vehicles has hit a roadblock. According to a new filing reviewed by TechCrunch, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected Tesla’s application, saying the term is too generic.
The rejection, issued as a “nonfinal office action,” means Tesla has three months to respond before the application is abandoned. The USPTO said “Robotaxi” is commonly used by other companies to describe similar services, making it “merely descriptive” and not eligible for trademark protection in its current form.
Tesla filed the application in October 2024, the same day it unveiled the Cybercab, a purpose-built electric vehicle intended for its upcoming self-driving ride-hailing network. The company had hoped to trademark “Robotaxi” for use with electric vehicles and related parts. A second trademark application covering “Robotaxi” for ride-hailing services is still under review.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s attempt to trademark the term “Cybercab” is also facing delays. The USPTO has paused the process due to conflicts with other companies applying for similar “Cyber”-themed trademarks, including one firm focused on Cybertruck accessories.
Tesla also submitted trademark applications for the term “Robobus,” which are still being examined.
If Tesla wishes to keep its bid for “Robotaxi” alive, it must now provide the USPTO with additional materials, such as promotional brochures, manuals, or screenshots showing how it uniquely uses the term. It must also address whether other companies use words like “Robo,” “Robot,” or “Robotic” in connection with similar services.
The first robotaxis are set to launch in Austin, beginning in June. Let’s see what happens with the name by then…
