Key Highlights
- Xai accuses Musk’s xAI of trademark violation amid gaming expansion
- USPTO has allegedly paused xAI trademarks due to brand confusion
- Ex Populus seeks an injunction and compensation in the lawsuit
Xai Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Trademark Dispute Amid Gaming Expansion
Ex Populus, the studio behind the Layer-3 gaming blockchain Xai, has initiated legal action against Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
The legal dispute underscores escalating tensions as Musk’s company ventures into gaming, a field traditionally held by Xai. The dispute heightened after Musk declared in November 2024 that xAI would establish a gaming studio — igniting confusion between the two similarly titled organizations.
The Lawsuit: Brand Confusion & Backlash
The legal complaint filed by Ex Populus asserts that xAI has generated considerable market confusion, misleading consumers and harming the Xai brand.
The filing claims that users and developers have wrongly linked xAI and its chatbot Grok with the Xai blockchain.
Ex Populus adds that the Xai team has endured “considerable backlash” resulting from public perception of Musk’s actions and reputation, contending that the impacts extend beyond brand confusion to reputational damage.
Trademark Disputes & Government Action
The lawsuit further claims that xAI’s attorneys pressed the Xai team to relinquish their trademark claims. Meanwhile, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reportedly halted several xAI trademark applications because of potential confusion.
In light of these developments, Ex Populus seeks:
- A court order restraining xAI from further use of the contested trademark
- Monetary damages related to the alleged injury inflicted on Xai’s brand and operations