Tesla faces trademark hurdle over ‘Cybercab’ after squatter claim

Tesla is facing another setback in its effort to lock down branding for its autonomous vehicle plans, after running into trouble securing the trademark for the name “Cybercab.”

The issue follows earlier problems with Tesla’s attempt to trademark “Robotaxi,” which was rejected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) because the term was too generic. 

At the time, regulators also flagged Tesla’s “Cybercab” application for further review.

However, now, according to a USPTO suspension notice, Tesla’s application to trademark “Cybercab” was officially paused in mid-November 2025.

The problem stems from timing. Tesla publicly revealed the Cybercab name before filing its trademark paperwork. 

That delay allowed another company, Unibev, to submit its own application roughly two weeks after Tesla’s October 2024 event but ahead of Tesla’s filing. Notably, under trademark rules, the earlier application takes priority.

For those unversed, Unibev is a French beverage company known for alcoholic drinks, not automotive products. 

The situation appears to fit the pattern of trademark squatting, where a company rushes to claim a name after a high-profile announcement.

The USPTO stated that Tesla’s application will remain suspended until the earlier filing is either approved or withdrawn. 

That said, Tesla has already challenged the decision, but officials said its arguments were not convincing.

It should be noted that unless Tesla reaches a settlement or successfully contests the claim, it may be unable to secure exclusive rights to the Cybercab name.