Elon Musk’s X Asserts Ownership of “Twitter” Trademark in Updated Terms of Service
Elon Musk’s X is making it clear in its updated Terms of Service that it still claims ownership of the “Twitter” trademark. This move comes in response to a recent trademark application by a Virginia-based startup, Operation Bluebird, who is seeking to trademark the term “Twitter.”
Operation Bluebird alleges that X abandoned the “Twitter” brand when it rebranded its social networking service as “X.” In a petition filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on December 2, the startup cited a post from Elon Musk on July 23, 2023, where he announced the upcoming farewell to the Twitter brand.
X has now filed a countersuit to challenge this claim. The company states in its filing that it still holds exclusive ownership of the Twitter and Tweet trademarks, as well as the bluebird logo.
In response to Operation Bluebird’s actions, X has updated its Terms of Service effective January 15, 2026. The revised terms now explicitly state that users do not have the right to use the X or Twitter name, trademarks, logos, or other brand features without express written consent.
“Nothing in the Terms gives you a right to use the X name or Twitter name or any of the X or Twitter trademarks, logos, domain names, other distinctive brand features, and other proprietary rights, and you may not do so without our express written consent.”
Additionally, the updated Terms of Service address EU laws, generated content, and include references to age assurance technology in X’s Privacy Policy.
This article was updated with a link to the countersuit following its initial publication.
