TL;DR
X Corp has filed a lawsuit against a startup called Operation Bluebird after the company applied to register the Twitter trademark. X argues Twitter remains its property, points to continued user use of the TWITTER.com domain and the word “tweets,” and asks the USPTO to deny Bluebird’s application while seeking damages.
What happened
Operation Bluebird, a social media startup, announced it had filed to register the Twitter trademark after about a year of work. In response, X — the company that acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded to X a year later — filed a lawsuit challenging that application. X’s complaint tells the patent office and the court that Twitter branding remains under its ownership and cites ongoing public use: the company says millions of users still reach the service through the TWITTER.com domain, people continue to call the platform “Twitter” and posts “tweets,” and third-party licensees still display Twitter marks such as the logo as a site favicon. The suit asks that the United States Patent and Trademark Office deny or invalidate Bluebird’s application and also seeks damages for the attempted registration. X chose litigation rather than only contesting the trademark application administratively.
Why it matters
- Brands can persist in public use even after formal corporate rebrands, affecting trademark control.
- A successful challenge could set a precedent for how dormant or retired trademarks are treated by the USPTO.
- The case underscores the practical value of legacy domain names and common-service names in disputes.
- How courts and the USPTO respond will affect startup ambitions to claim heritage social-media brands.
Key facts
- Operation Bluebird said it filed to claim the Twitter trademark after about 12 months of quiet work.
- Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter occurred in 2022; the company rebranded to X a year later.
- X’s complaint asserts that Twitter remains exclusively owned by X Corp and has not disappeared.
- X told the court that more than four million users access the platform each day via the TWITTER.com domain.
- The complaint says users still refer to the platform as ‘Twitter’ and to posts as ‘tweets.’
- X noted third-party licensees continue to display the Twitter logo as a social-media favicon on business sites.
- The company is asking the USPTO to deny or invalidate Bluebird’s trademark application and is seeking damages.
- X moved beyond an administrative trademark challenge and filed a lawsuit to block the registration.
What to watch next
- USPTO response to X’s request to deny or invalidate Operation Bluebird’s TWITTER application — not confirmed in the source
- Whether Operation Bluebird will defend its trademark application in court or withdraw it — not confirmed in the source
- Any rulings on damages or injunctions sought by X against Bluebird — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Trademark: A legal designation—such as a word, phrase, or logo—that identifies and distinguishes goods or services of a source.
- USPTO: United States Patent and Trademark Office, the federal agency that registers patents and trademarks in the U.S.
- Rebrand: The process of changing the corporate image, name, logo, or other brand elements of an organization.
- Favicon: A small icon associated with a website, often displayed in browser tabs and bookmarks to identify the site visually.
- Damages: Monetary compensation sought in a lawsuit for loss or injury caused by another party’s actions.
Reader FAQ
What is X suing over?
X is challenging a startup’s attempt to register the Twitter trademark, asking the USPTO to deny the application and seeking damages.
Who is Operation Bluebird?
A social media startup that said it filed to claim the Twitter trademark after around 12 months of work.
Does X acknowledge people still use the Twitter name?
Yes. In its complaint X points to millions accessing TWITTER.com daily and says users still call the platform Twitter and posts tweets.
Has the USPTO ruled on this dispute yet?
not confirmed in the source
LEGAL 55 X sues to protect Twitter brand Musk has been trying to kill Lawsuit concedes the bird is still the word for many Richard Speed Wed 17 Dec 2025 // 13:07 UTC X…
Sources
- X sues to protect Twitter brand Musk has been trying to kill
- Elon Musk's X sues startup over attempt to claim Twitter …
- X Corp sues social media startup over bid to claim 'Twitter …
- X responds with countersuit as Bluebird claims Twitter …
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