USPTO refuses Tesla Robotaxi trademark as “merely descriptive”

The term "robotaxi" has become a common descriptor for driverless cars priced around $30k, yet Tesla faces challenges in trademarking this phrase as it's deemed too generic. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled that the term lacks specificity, prompting Tesla to seek evidence of their product's uniqueness through detailed marketing materials and differentiation from competitors. Historically, Tesla has faced similar criticism for attempted trademarks tied to iconic films, indicating persistent issues with originality in branding.