Another Dogecoin Cryptocurrency Trademark Fight Has Broken Out
After the first Bitcoin retail transaction took place in 2010, other cryptocurrencies began to emerge. One of these was Dogecoin — which was initially created as a joke. Since that time, the virtual coin has become a favorite of Elon Musk and one of the most popular around the globe.
In a trademark opposition filed with the USPTO on April 6, 2022, the initial creators of Dogecoin are seeking to prevent registration of DOGETIPBOT (DOGE TIP BOT) by Dogetipbot LLC.
Dogecoin Enters New Cryptocurrency Trademark Dispute
Since Dogecoin was initially a satirical endeavor to mock the popularity of cryptocurrencies, its creators didn’t think it would last long. That’s why no one initially sought out trademark protection for the brand. Fast-forward a few years later, though, and a valuation of $80 billion showed how popular the virtual coin has become.
The understandable lack of foresight on part of the Dogecoin founders has created a major cryptocurrency trademark battle regarding who owns rights over the coin’s name. The initial creators — Dogecoin Foundation LLC — are vying for intellectual property rights. Unfortunately, so are many others. This is what makes the opposition against Dogetipbot LLC so interesting.
In the opposition notice, Dogecoin Foundation lists several of its pending trademark applications. They also make a point of claiming common law trademark rights over the name “Dogecoin”. This isn’t the first time “dogetipbot” has popped up, though, and it makes for an interesting history.
Dogetipbot Resurrected in Trademark Dispute
When dogetipbot first emerged, it allowed Reddit users to tip others using Dogecoin. There was no cryptocurrency trademark dispute over this at the time, but that doesn’t mean problems weren’t encountered. In fact, the creator of the bot eventually declared bankruptcy after what many saw as theft of users’ virtual coins in an effort to keep his business afloat.
This took place in 2017, and very little discussion about dogetipbot has occurred since that point. This changed when someone named Ricardo Santiago filed incorporation paperwork for Dogetipbot LLC as a limited liability corporation in Florida. This is not the same individual who created dogetipbot — Josh Mohland — back in 2014.
There’s no debate that the original dogetipbot played a major role in the rise of Dogecoin. In the cryptocurrency trademark dispute at hand, however, it’s not even clear if the current corporation is somehow linked to the original incarnation of dogetipbot — particularly considering the latter’s historic bad press.
What Happens Now?
Cryptocurrency trademark disputes have taken many forms since the technology emerged. Unfortunately for the creators of Dogecoin, their virtual currency has seen more than its fair share of problems. How the current case plays out will likely depend upon the outcome of the trademark applications filed by Dogecoin Foundation.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, Dogetipbot LLC must respond to the opposition notice by May 16, 2022. Failing to do so will lead to trademark abandonment.