Startup Seizes 'Twitter' Name Amid Claims Elon Musk Has Totally Abandoned It—What Happens Next Will Shock You!

A dramatic trademark battle is unfolding as a small tech startup, Operation Bluebird, seeks to claim the 'Twitter' name, arguing that Elon Musk's company, X Corp, has abandoned it. The crux of the dispute hinges on whether X Corp, which was formerly known as Twitter, retains any legal rights to the brand after a series of rebranding efforts initiated by Musk following his £44 billion (approximately $55 billion) acquisition of the company in 2022.

On December 2, 2025, Operation Bluebird formally filed a petition with the US Patent and Trademark Office requesting the cancellation of Twitter's long-held trademark protections. The startup plans to launch a rival platform called 'twitter.new' and intends to market it using branding associated with the former Twitter platform. The petition contends that X Corp no longer actively uses the terms 'Twitter' and 'tweet' in a commercial context, thereby abandoning the trademarks.

Leading this legal charge is Stephen Coates, who previously served as a trademark lawyer at Twitter before transitioning into private practice. Coates is now acting as the general counsel for Operation Bluebird and heads a small law firm that prepared the recent submissions. He has also filed a separate application to trademark the word 'Twitter' on behalf of the startup.

In the documents submitted, Operation Bluebird asserts that X Corp has effectively 'eradicated' the Twitter brand from its products, marketing materials, and online services. This claim is tied to Musk's rebranding strategy, which he announced publicly on the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2023. Musk declared that the company would 'bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds,' a statement that confirmed his intention to completely remove all traces of the earlier identity.

The iconic blue bird symbol that once served as Twitter's hallmark is no longer visible in any part of X's interface. Furthermore, the original domain, twitter.com, now redirects users to x.com, underscoring the shift away from the former name. Operation Bluebird argues that this complete removal substantiates its claim that X Corp has relinquished its use of the Twitter trademarks.

X Corp has not publicly commented on the petition or its trademark position. While the last renewal of the Twitter trademark was approved in 2023, Operation Bluebird maintains that a mere renewal does not equate to active commercial use. Coates remarked that the situation is 'straightforward' and asserted that 'X legally abandoned the TWITTER mark.'

Legal Implications and Future of Brand Ownership

Josh Gerben, an intellectual property lawyer who is not involved in the filing, highlighted the challenges X may face if it attempts to defend its trademarks. He pointed out that if X Corp is no longer using the Twitter name in a genuine commercial capacity, it might struggle to prove ongoing ownership. In the United States, trademark law typically requires consistent and active use to maintain protection.

Despite the petition, Gerben indicated that X could still attempt to block Operation Bluebird's use of the Twitter branding even if the cancellation is granted. A cancelled trademark does not automatically confer unrestricted use to the challenger, meaning the outcome may hinge on how the US Patent and Trademark Office interprets X's current relationship with the brand.

This situation, according to Gerben, serves as 'an interesting test' regarding whether X will invest in protecting a brand it no longer intends to use. His commentary underscores the unusual nature of a major company voluntarily distancing itself from one of the most recognizable names in social media. This case raises critical questions about how trademarks operate when a brand owner appears to have abandoned its former identity.

The petition represents one of the first significant attempts by a startup to lay claim to the branding of a platform once used globally. It reflects the substantial changes that followed Musk's acquisition and his decision to rebuild the company under the new name. As the trademark office reviews the request, the outcome could set new precedents for determining abandonment in the context of significant rebrands.

Currently, X Corp has not indicated any plans to reinstate or reuse Twitter's former identity. The implications of this trademark battle extend beyond the immediate conflict, signaling a potential shift in how brands manage their identities in the rapidly evolving social media landscape.