Operation Bluebird Rebrands to Tweet.app Following Trademark Ruling
AI-generated image · US National Wire
A federal court decision restricting the use of the 'Twitter' name has forced a startup to pivot its branding amid an ongoing legal battle.
Operation Bluebird has rebranded its emerging social media platform to Tweet.app following a ruling from US District Judge Colm Connolly, as Engadget first reported.
The court determined that the use of the name "Twitter" would infringe upon trademarks and create consumer confusion, effectively barring the startup from using the original name. However, Engadget reports that the judge also ruled that X Corp. likely abandoned the bird logo and the word "tweet," rendering both available for use without trademark infringement.
According to Engadget, the startup's FAQ page states that the federal court declined to enjoin their use of the bird logo and the Tweet mark. While the platform is currently limited to a waitlist, TechCrunch reports that over 172,000 individuals have signed up. The company is charging $20 to reserve handles and offers a "Fighter" tier for $40, which includes a founder number, a founder badge, and an exclusive slingshot badge.
Despite the initial ruling on the preliminary injunction, Tweet.app notes that the trademark infringement case remains ongoing and is expected to proceed to trial.