The Name Wasn’t Ready
The stage was set, and the lights were bright when Tesla debuted the Cybercab at the “We, Robot” event last October 2024. However, the EV maker appears to have failed to do its homework, as it now faces what looks like a squatter situation with the "Cybercab" trademark.
According to a report from Electrek, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a suspension notice on Tesla’s Cybercab trademark filing. The notice states that there was already a pending priority application for the same name, which belongs to a company called Unibev. Notably, Unibev is described as a French beverage business, suggesting that the Cybercab nameplate may ultimately have nothing to do with a vehicle rolling on four autonomous wheels.
You can look up the trademark yourself by typing in "Cybercab" on USPTO's online search tool.
Getting Déjà Vu
What makes the situation more intriguing is that Unibev also holds TESLAQUILA trademarks, a name Tesla once explored for its branded alcohol. Viewed in that context, the Cybercab dispute appears less coincidental. The pattern suggests that Unibev may be actively monitoring Tesla’s branding activity, particularly delays in trademark filings.
As for motive, one possible explanation is financial leverage. By securing priority rights to the Cybercab name, Unibev could be positioning itself to extract a significant payout if Tesla seeks to acquire the trademark – an approach that aligns closely with classic trademark squatting behavior.
The Clock Is Ticking
Tesla plans to begin producing the Cybercab – or whatever name it ultimately adopts – as early as April this year, making a swift response to the trademark issue time-sensitive. Moreover, the company has yet to secure regulatory approval for its fully autonomous system. Recent sightings of two Cybercab prototypes in Austin, Texas, showed the vehicles operating with a human driver and a steering wheel.
For additional context, Tesla has said the Cybercab is ultimately intended to be produced without a steering wheel or pedals, supporting the company’s vision of a fully autonomous, two-seat robotaxi.
Whether Tesla chooses to negotiate with Unibev for the Cybercab trademark or abandon the name entirely remains to be seen. However, retaining a nameplate that includes the word “Cyber” would align neatly with the company’s existing product strategy. The Cybertruck already anchors that branding approach as Tesla’s answer to electric pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the Rivian R1T. The brand has also extended the naming theme to non-automotive products, including the Cyberquad for Kids electric four-wheel ride-on toy.
