Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), metaverse and Web3 have skyrocketed this year, and the number of trademark applications related to these sectors proves it. Data shows that in the first eight months of 2022 there have been twice as many applications as in all of 2021.
So far, more than 5,800 trademark applications have been filed with the U.S. This is more than two and a half times more than the 2,087 registered in 2021. In March alone, there were more than 1,000 filings.
So far this year, 4317 US trademark apps have been filed for digital or cryptocurrencies and related goods/services:
Jan: 481
Feb: 539
March: 609
April: 584
May: 549
June: 450
July: 403
Aug: 335
Sept: 367The 2021 total was 3547#Crypto #Fintech #DeFi #Cryptocurrencies #Web3 pic.twitter.com/VevxKf31hZ
— Mike Kondoudis (@KondoudisLaw) October 5, 2022
As the blockchain and NFT world expands and companies move into it, demand is growing for a method to safeguard ideas, names and logos in this space.
The metaverse has grown rapidly since its inception, but little attention has been paid to trademark applications until recently, when more people began filing patents for various projects related to this trending topic.
According to the law firm of Michael Kondoudis, a USPTO-licensed patent and trademark attorney, trademark applications related to the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have increased significantly in recent years.
This article aims to show you how interest in the metaverse and NFTs has grown over time among large and emerging companies by analyzing trademark applications filed between 2020 and 2022.
The figures shown in this article are based on information collected from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO is a federal office that issues patents for inventions, trademark registrations for logos and brand names, and copyright registrations for creative works.
NFT trademark filing statistics
So far in 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has received 6,366 trademark applications that incorporate or relate to NFTs.
So far this year, 6366 US trademark apps have been filed for NFTs and related blockchain goods and services:
Jan: 646
Feb: 788
Mar: 1080
Apr: 895
May: 757
June: 720
July: 533
Aug: 512
Sept: 435The 2021 total was 2142.#NFTs #Web3 #NFTCommmunity #Metaverse #MetaverseNFT pic.twitter.com/UVrg7g0sMv
— Mike Kondoudis (@KondoudisLaw) October 5, 2022
Metaverse Trademark Filing Statistics
The USPTO has received 4,618 trademark applications for metaverse and/or virtual goods and services so far in 2022.
So far this year, 4618 US trademark apps have been filed for Metaverse and virtual goods/services:
Jan: 417
Feb: 573
March: 773
April: 574
May: 540
June: 538
July: 388
Aug: 422
Sept: 393The 2021 total was 1890.#Metaverse #Web3 #NFTs #MetaverseNFT #VirtualReality #NFT pic.twitter.com/Asp3ETin0M
— Mike Kondoudis (@KondoudisLaw) October 5, 2022
A total of 4,670 metaverse-related patent applications have been filed from January 2020 through May 2022, with the largest number (709) filed in March 2022.
Why all these statistics are important
In just two years, the number of metaverse and NFT trademark applications has increased by almost 100%. This suggests a surge of interest in the new virtual world and digital assets, putting all fears of a bubble bursting to rest.
Companies are trying to jump on the bandwagon to stay ahead of the competition and gain market share.
Many major brands have already taken steps down this new path. In the following section we will look at some of the most important ones, grouped by sector.
Examples of major brands filing NFT and metaverse trademark applications in 2022
Many fashion moguls, such as Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Champion and Versace, recently filed trademark applications to enter the metaverse and embrace the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Many of them also indicated plans to build and offer users the opportunity to participate in virtual fashion shows, such as Decentraland’s Metaverse Fashion Week, which featured major fashion companies such as DKNY, Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others.
The metaverse food sector is evolving rapidly as more brands recognize the tremendous potential of the technology. It is attracting much more attention, with a number of major food companies such as McDonald’s and Panera Bread entering the market with exciting virtual offerings.
Starting with major food companies that have filed trademark applications related to NFTs and the metaverse, others are following suit such as:
Hooters, a restaurant known for its scantily clad waitresses and comfort food, has applied to enter the metaverse with a virtual location of its real-world establishment.
Hooters’ metaverse location will combine real- and virtual-world food and delivery services, allowing users to order from the restaurant in any world and have exactly what they ordered delivered to their doorstep.
Taco Bell, the U.S. fast food chain, has filed trademark applications for its name and logo to be used on virtual reality platforms.
KFC, the second-largest fast-food restaurant chain after McDonald’s, is also trying to enter the metaverse. The company has applied for trademarks to sell food and beverages online, just like in the real world.
Companies such as Meta, Tetris, Playboy magazine, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Marcus Lemonis’ production company for “Let’s Make a Deal” have filed a trademark application allowing them to produce and sell electronic art.
The entertainment industry is also seeing a growing interest in virtual and augmented reality from superstars.
Although there is still much ambiguity about the future of the metaverse and NFTs, we cannot ignore the reality that the sector is developing and companies are trying to get a piece of it.
The statistics and descriptions of trademark applications filed so far are concrete proof of this.
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