Elon Musk’s X platform has taken action after facing the threat of losing its former Twitter trademark. In response to an application by a Virginia-based startup alleging the abandonment of the Twitter trademark, the company hastily updated its Terms of Service to create a legal shield.
The threat of Operation Bluebird is growing.
The startup, Operation Bluebird, recently emerged and applied to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requesting the cancellation of the Twitter and Tweet trademarks. The startup claims that X Corp. has abandoned the established brand by removing these trademarks from its products, services, and marketing. As evidence, they cite a 2023 tweet by Elon Musk stating, “We will say goodbye to the Twitter trademark and all birds.”
This startup, which includes former Twitter lawyers, plans to create a new social network at twitter.new if the trademark becomes available. This situation has prompted X management to take action.
According to an update noticed by TechCrunch, X has added a very clear clause to its Terms of Service to strengthen its legal position. The new text, effective January 15, 2026, states:
“Nothing in these terms grants you the right to use the name X or the name Twitter, or any trademarks, logos, domain names, other distinctive brand features, or other proprietary rights of X or Twitter, and you may not use them without our express written permission.”
With this move, the company has formalized that even if it doesn’t use the Twitter name, it hasn’t waived its legal rights and the brand is still protected.
X not only amended the agreement but also filed a counterclaim against Operation Bluebird in federal court. The company argues that the Twitter brand is alive and well, that millions of users still access the site via twitter.com, and that rebranding does not legally mean abandoning the brand.
So, do you think it’s a contradiction that Elon Musk tried to completely erase the Twitter brand and is now fighting to keep it? Who do you think should own the Twitter name? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
