Matter Labs Backs Down on Trademark Infringement Attempts for "ZK" Term
Summary:
Matter Labs, creator of the Ethereum scalability solution, zkSync, ceases all attempts to trademark the term "ZK", a short form of "zero knowledge" proofs, in response to criticism from ZK researchers. The critics argued that ZK technologies should remain a public good. Initially, Matter Labs claimed to have applied for ZK-related trademarks to ensure their free usage in relation to firm-associated names. However, the company decided to abandon all trademark applications after discussions with critics.
Matter Labs, the creator of the Ethereum layer-2 scalability solution known as zkSync, has halted all attempts to claim intellectual property rights over the term "ZK", an abbreviation for "zero knowledge" proofs. This move came after several renowned ZK researchers chastised the firm's behavior, highlighting that ZK technologies should continue to be a "public asset" freely "available to everyone". In a post dated June 2, Matter Labs confirmed, "In light of these discussions, we have decided to abandon all trademark applications. It's extremely difficult to reach a consensus on a universally neutral group. What works best with Ethereum may not work for the rest of the world."
In a publicly released letter, ZK advocates insisted ZKs should remain a public benefit, not a corporation's trademark. They stated that any company attempting to manipulate the legal system for annexing a public benefit would violate a fundamental principle of the cryptocurrency industry. "If the company pursues this, it is effectively segregating itself from the community it purports to be a part of", wrote the seven signatories of the letter dated May 30. This list includes Shafi Goldwasser and Silvio Micali, two of the three individuals who invented ZK-proofs, CEO of StarkWare Eli Ben-Sasson, and co-founder of Polygon Labs, Sandeep Nailwal.
Initially, Matter Labs claimed it had applied for ZK-related trademarks to ascertain ZK can be freely usable within the context of "ZK Sync", "ZK Stack", and other firm-associated names. Matter Labs clarified, "A widely held misunderstanding is that owning a trademark gives you legal ownership over a certain word or phrase and you can forbid others from its use. However, rights over a word or phrase are not granted in general, but rather in relation to your specific goods or services."
In respect to Cointelegraph's X post last week, Alex Gluchowski, the CEO and founder of Matter Labs, openly voiced his rejection of "the concept of intellectual property". The post further elaborated, "all trademarks that have ever been registered, including those related to ZK, are defensive in nature, intended to deter unscrupulous actors from pretending to emulate our products and services (as has unfortunately happened before)."
According to the statement by ZK researchers, Matter Labs had filed ZK-related trademark applications in nine countries.
Published At
6/3/2024 2:46:48 AM
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