{"id":10463,"date":"2022-05-02T21:58:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T21:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/crypto\/dfinity-foundation-files-lawsuit-against-meta-over-infinity-logo\/"},"modified":"2022-05-02T21:58:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T21:58:53","slug":"dfinity-foundation-files-lawsuit-against-meta-over-infinity-logo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/crypto\/dfinity-foundation-files-lawsuit-against-meta-over-infinity-logo\/","title":{"rendered":"Dfinity Foundation files lawsuit against Meta over infinity logo"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lawyers for Dfinity Foundation, a Switzerland-based nonprofit behind the Internet Computer blockchain, have filed a lawsuit against Facebook\u2019s parent company Meta for trademark infringement over its infinity logo.<\/p>\n

In a Friday court filing with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Dfinity\u2019s legal team claimed Meta Platforms was registering use of its logo, which also uses the mathematical symbol for the concept of infinity, \u201cin some of the same or similar areas in which Dfinity has already obtained registration for its mark.\u201d According to the blockchain firm, Meta filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, in March 2022, while the same office granted Dfinity registration in October 2018. Dfinity\u2019s legal team also said the company had been using the infinity symbol on its website since March 2017.<\/p>\n

While many experts credit mathematician John Wallis with first using the “loopy” symbol to represent the concept of infinity in the 17th century, the design may go back centuries prior to that usage. Dfinity\u2019s lawsuit seemed to be based not on Meta\u2019s logo using the infinity symbol itself, but rather registering a trademark for use in fields offering similar goods and services, including computer software incorporating blockchain technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeta and Dfinity seek to attract the same users, namely those who are looking for an innovative and different internet experience, created by users, for users,\u201d said the lawsuit, adding:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFurther, both Meta and Dfinity utilize the same marketing channels such that consumers will likely encounter the marks through those same channels […] Despite knowledge of Dfinity\u2019s mark, Meta chose to proceed with its application to obtain registration in some of the same or similar areas in which Dfinity has already obtained registration for its mark.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Meta Platforms (Facebook) is being sued over its logo.<\/p>\n

A Swiss non-profit that develops blockchain technology (Dfinity), has filed a lawsuit claiming that Meta’s new logo is too similar to its own.<\/p>\n

Apparently, an infinity logo is all the rage in Web3.#meta<\/a> #Facebook<\/a> #Web3<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4Ay4a12uKy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) May 2, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dfinity\u2019s legal team continued:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe similarities between Meta\u2019s mark and Dfinity\u2019s mark, and Meta\u2019s intended use of its mark in the same space and through the same customer base as Dfinity, will cause confusion because consumers will mistakenly believe that Meta and its services are connected with, sponsored by, affiliated with, or related to Dfinity, or that Dfinity and its services are connected with, sponsored by, affiliated with or related to Meta.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to Dfinity, Meta \u201cknowingly infringed\u201d upon the company’s trademark based on its registration with the USPTO and exhibited \u201cwillful and wanton disregard of Dfinity\u2019s established and superior rights.\u201d The lawyers claimed that confusion around the similar logos had already caused Dfinity to lose revenue, and the firm will continue to do so as well as potentially suffer \u201creputational harm\u201d while the alleged discrepancy remains.<\/p>\n

\u201cDfinity has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable injury as a result of Meta\u2019s unlawful action and has no adequate remedy at law,\u201d said the lawsuit. \u201cUnlike Facebook\u2019s (now Meta) centralized, closed system, Dfinity\u2019s focus is on decentralization and interoperability. Any association between Dfinity and Meta would cause consumers, including users and developers, to question Dfinity\u2019s core mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dfinity\u2019s legal team has requested relief in the form of attorneys\u2019 fees based on Meta\u2019s alleged trademark infringement and \u201cfalse designation of origin.\u201d In addition, the firm asked for punitive damages surrounding the potential confusion \u201cas to the source, origin, sponsorship, and association\u201d of Meta\u2019s products and services. The blockchain firm has requested a trial by jury.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/em><\/strong>\u2018Wave of litigation\u2019 to hit NFT space as copyright issues abound<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Legal issues related to copyrights and trademarks have cropped up in the crypto space since its creation in 2008. In June 2020, someone anonymously registered the Bitcoin (BTC) name and logo with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office claiming they wanted to \u201cprotect Bitcoin.\u201d A legal team representing fast food chain Jack in the Box also filed a lawsuit against FTX US in November 2021 based on alleged similarities between its “Jack” character and the crypto exchange\u2019s “Moon Man.”<\/p>\n