Trademark War Erupts as xAI's Gaming Expansion Sparks Legal Battle with Ex Populus

Ex Populus, the studio behind the Layer-3 gaming blockchain Xai, has sued Elon Musk's xAI for trademark infringement and unfair competition. The lawsuit alleges that xAI's gaming expansion has caused significant marketplace confusion and damaged the Xai brand. The USPTO has reportedly suspended xAI's trademark applications due to potential confusion. Ex Populus seeks an injunction and damages in the legal battle.

Ex Populus, the developer behind the Layer-3 gaming blockchain Xai, has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. The suit, filed in the Northern District of California, contends that xAI's gaming expansion has caused significant marketplace confusion and damaged the Xai brand. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reportedly suspended xAI's trademark applications due to potential confusion [1].

The lawsuit, which seeks an injunction and damages, argues that xAI's activities have created substantial confusion among consumers and investors. Ex Populus claims that Musk's company has been using the Xai name and logo in gaming and blockchain contexts, leading to widespread confusion. This confusion, the lawsuit alleges, has harmed the reputation and brand value of Xai [2].

The lawsuit also points to Grok, xAI's chatbot, which reportedly made controversial statements that were misattributed to Xai. These statements, including references to "MechaHitler," have exacerbated the reputational harm caused by xAI's branding activities [2].

Ex Populus seeks immediate relief to stop xAI from using confusing marks in gaming and blockchain contexts. The company also requests punitive damages and disgorgement of profits tied to the alleged infringement. The lawsuit frames a broader question about how established blockchain projects can protect their identity against high-profile tech entrants [2].

The case underscores the importance of trademark protection in the rapidly converging AI, gaming, and blockchain markets. As these industries continue to evolve, smaller innovators face unique challenges in maintaining their brand identity against larger, more established competitors.

References:

[1] https://api.news.bitcoin.com/wp-json/bcn/v1/post?slug=web3-gaming-platform-ex-populus-sues-elon-musk-led-ai-company-over-xai-trademark
[2] https://en.coinotag.com/ethereum-based-xai-alleges-musks-xai-may-be-harming-its-brand-amid-grok-mechahitler-controversy/