Why A Beverage Company Owns "Cybercab" | Tesla Trademark Tiffs

The Tesla-Unibev trademark tiff kicked off when Tesla dipped its toes into the beverage world with a "Teslaquila" April Fools' joke of a Tesla-branded tequila. That playful lark apparently poked the hornet's nest known as Unibev, a French hard seltzer maker that already held the "Teslaquila" brand.

Fast-forward to October 2024: Tesla unveils the futuristic Cybercab robotaxi but waits until November to file for the US trademark. Unibev seemed to be looking for a little revenge. They beat Tesla to the punch by filing first on October 28, snagging priority for the name in the vehicle category. The US Trademark Office suspended Tesla's application. Since Unibev doesn't appear to be doing anything in the vehicle space that I'm aware of, this looks like textbook trademark squatting.

As of February 2026, Tesla has a 30-day extension (till March 14) to oppose or negotiate. With the first Cybercab already off the production line and volume production looming, Tesla will need to move quickly. 

No Taxicab For You

Certain regions, particularly cities with legacy taxi regulations, restrict the use of terms like "taxi" or "cab" in branding for autonomous vehicle ride-hail services. This hits Tesla's Robotaxi and Cybercab squarely in the nouns. These restrictions stem from municipal and state laws designed to protect traditional human-driven taxi services, which often require medallions, licensing, fare controls, or union compliance.

Cities like New York have historically enforced medallion systems to cap supply and ensure driver incomes. At the same time, states like California (via the CPUC) impose rules that differentiate ride-hailing from traditional taxis to avoid implying regulated services. Elon Musk noted during Tesla's Q4 2025 earnings call that these restrictions may force Tesla to use an alternative like "Cybercar" or "Cybervehicle". My preferred alternative is "CyberRyd", although this one was not mentioned on the call.

The silver lining is (assuming Tesla applies for these alternative trademarks before UniBev) that this will sidestep the trademark problems around the Cybercab trademark.

Tesla Trademark Tiff Timeline

Cybercab is just the latest in a history of trademark problems for Tesla. Below is a summary of the major disputes.

Early and 2010s Disputes

Tesla vs. Zhan Baosheng (China, 2013–2014)

A Chinese businessman registered the "Tesla" trademarks in China before Tesla entered the market. He sued Tesla for infringement and demanded $4 million. Tesla challenged the filings, and the dispute was resolved amicably in 2014, with Tesla acquiring the rights at no cost.

Tesla vs. Ford :: Model E (2013–2014)

Tesla sought to trademark "Model E" to complete its "S-E-X-Y" vehicle naming scheme (Models S, X, Y). Ford opposed the application, citing potential confusion with its historic Model T and its own "Model E" registration for electric vehicles. Tesla abandoned the application and switched to "Model 3".

Tesla.com Domain (2016)

It's not a trademark, but we must cover this one. 

Tesla acquired the premium domain Tesla.com in February 2016 from Silicon Valley engineer Stuart Grossman, who had registered it in 1992. The deal took over a decade of persistent effort from Elon Musk and cost $11 million, as Musk later revealed. Previously, the company used TeslaMotors.com, but the shorter domain better suited its expanding vision beyond cars. The longer site now redirects seamlessly to Tesla's main page.

Tesla vs. Adidas – Three Stripes Logo (2016–2017)

Tesla applied for a stylized "3" logo featuring three horizontal stripes for the Model 3 (covering apparel and vehicles). Adidas opposed, claiming similarity to their famous "3-Stripes" mark. Tesla withdrew the application and changed the logo to a simple Arabic numeral "3".

2020s Disputes

Tesla vs. Tesla Power India (India, 2024–Ongoing)

Tesla sued Gurugram-based Tesla Power India Pvt. Ltd. in Delhi High Court for using "Tesla Power" and "Tesla Power USA" for batteries and inverters. The court issued interim restraints. Mediation failed, and Tesla secured a prima facie infringement ruling in January 2026. A hearing is scheduled for April 2026. 

Tesla vs. Takeaway (UK, 2024)

Tesla successfully invalidated a UK trademark for "Tesla Chicken & Pizza" held by a small business, citing reputation infringement. With the Tesla Diner's success, maybe "Tesla Chicken & Pizza" is next ⚡🐔&🍕😆

Ongoing Actions Against Counterfeiters and Aftermarket Suppliers (U.S.)

Tesla has filed multiple lawsuits (primarily in the Northern District of Illinois) against companies selling counterfeit North American Charging System (NACS) adapters and other parts, alleging trademark deception. Tesla has pursued nearly a dozen of these lawsuits since 2019.

Recent Disputes (2025–present)

Tesla vs. USPTO – Robotaxi (2025–Ongoing)

Tesla applied for "Robotaxi" for vehicles and ride-hailing services. The USPTO issued a non-final rejection in May 2025, deeming the term "merely descriptive" and too generic (noting prior use by others like Waymo). Tesla has three months to respond or abandon the application. No final resolution has been reached.

Is "Optimus" The Next Trademark Problem For Tesla

Tesla seems comfortable using the name "Optimus" for its humanoid robot. This is because there is no apparent trademark conflict strong enough to prompt legal action from Hasbro, owner of the iconic Optimus Prime from Transformers.

Hasbro's trademark primarily covers "Optimus Prime" in Class 28 (toys, action figures, and entertainment goods), registered since the 1980s for toy robots convertible into vehicles. Tesla's Optimus operates in a different category: industrial robotics, machinery, and AI-driven automation (likely Class 7 or Class 9). This reduces the risk of consumer confusion or dilution.

"Optimus" itself derives from Latin (meaning "best") and is not exclusively tied to Hasbro's character. No lawsuit, cease-and-desist, or public objection from Hasbro has emerged despite years of use since the 2021 unveiling.

However, I also could not find an application for the mark from Tesla, so if they plan to use it, they might want to apply before Unibev or someone else files.

Summary

Tesla owns over 160 U.S. trademarks (including "Cybertruck" and "Powerwall"). Tesla actively protects its intellectual property despite the occasional public commentary from Elon Musk criticizing aspects of intellectual property law. Many disputes are settled privately, and Tesla continues to face both enforcement actions and occasional challenges to its branding choices. Watching their technology development is fun, but even their IP battles can also be entertaining.