X, formerly known as Twitter, has updated its terms of service to include references to Twitter after previously only mentioning X, in an apparent response to a trademark challenge from a startup called Operation Bluebird. The startup, co-founded by former Twitter general counsel Stephen Coates, went public with plans to capture what remains of Twitter for its own use, including filing a petition with the US Patents and Trademark Office to cancel X's control of Twitter's trademarks. Operation Bluebird argues that X has effectively abandoned the Twitter brand, with Elon Musk himself stating in 2023 that the company would bid adieu to the Twitter brand and all birds. Despite this rebranding, Twitter.com still redirects to X.com. The updated terms of service now state that users have no right to use the X name or Twitter name without express written consent. In a statement to Engadget, Coates expressed confidence that Operation Bluebird would prevail, stating that X legally abandoned the Twitter mark and publicly declared the brand dead. The startup has already convinced over 145,200 people to claim a handle on its planned social platform, suggesting there may be significant interest in a Twitter revival.

Category: Gadgets, Social Media