While the dispute revolves around the Miss Metaverse trademark, it doesn’t involve the tech giant Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, Inc. Instead, it’s a battle between an individual who has long used the title in commerce but failed to register it and a company named Flo Inc.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO (now Meta Platforms, Inc.), previously announced ambitious plans for developing Metaverse technology. Despite facing criticism, Metaverse stands as a pioneering technology in the realm of online virtual spaces where users can interact in a 3D virtual environment on the internet.
Despite criticisms and concerns about data security and legal frameworks, Metaverse continues to enjoy substantial public recognition and relevance in today’s social networks. Hence, a trademark dispute over Miss Metaverse has garnered significant public attention. Interestingly, Meta does not have complete control over the Metaverse trademark, as the legal battle ensues between an individual and Flo Inc.
On August 24, 2023, Katie King, also known as Miss Metaverse, filed an objection against Flo Inc.’s registration of “Miss Metaverse.” Katie has used this title for years, predating Meta and Mark Zuckerberg’s fame. This historical usage is documented on Katie’s social media profiles.
Specifically, Katie adopted the title between 2012 and 2013, using it for commercial purposes later in 2013. However, unlike many creators with clear awareness and financial support, Miss Metaverse did not trademark her title. As of now, she does not possess any registered trademarks for her title.
The dispute with Flo Inc. arose from Katie’s objection to the company’s trademark application. Flo Inc. submitted their application in December 2021. Realizing her oversight spanning over a decade, Katie applied for her trademark merely two months later.
According to Flo Inc.’s application, their first use date was just a few days before their submission in 2021. In historical context, Katie has confirmed her commercial use of the title almost a decade before Flo Inc.
Regarding usage intent, Katie appears to use the trademark to build her personal brand, while Flo Inc. plans to create a virtual beauty pageant on the Metaverse platform. They envision this as the world’s first entirely virtual beauty pageant, with participants creating their own NFTs for involvement.
Currently, the dispute’s outcome remains uncertain. However, it strongly suggests that Flo Inc. will fight to protect their trademark rights. They have invested significantly in their brand, formalized their application, established the first use date, and Katie did not apply for the trademark before it was too late. Additionally, she has not gained enough recognition within the community yet.
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