The Dogecoin Trademark Saga
On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, the Dogecoin Foundation took the crypto world by storm by announcing the successful registration of “Doge,” “Dogecoin,” and its snazzy logos as trademarks within the European Union. This little victory, showcased in a tweet complete with a certificate dated January 13, 2022, is proof that not everything in the Doge universe is just about memes and cute dogs.
The Motivation Behind Trademarking
According to Jens Wiechers, an exec board member at the foundation, the push for these trademarks wasn’t a meme-related craze, but a defensive move against opportunists trying to cash in on the Dogecoin brand. As he noted, the concern was about individuals trying to register these trademarks for malicious intents—extorting the community, developers, or even the foundation itself. Because who doesn’t want to extort a community driven by adorable Shiba Inus?
Why Now?
You might wonder, why has it taken so long for the foundation to safeguard its brand? Since its revival back in August, the Dogecoin Foundation has wrestled with identity confusion. In 2014, when the foundation originally formed, they skipped the trademarking dance. This lapse has led to a regulatory wrestling match with at least half a dozen competing trademarks in the U.S. and “more than 100” unrelated cryptocurrencies riding on Dogecoin’s coattails. Talk about a ruff start!
Resignation Amidst Chaos
In the midst of this trademark tussle came another twist: the resignation of Ross Nicoll, a key director at the foundation. In a heartfelt blog post from February 16, he described navigating an “extremely challenging environment,” where tensions were running high. After all, it’s tough out there when you’re dealing with potential lawsuits and trademarking disputes.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the chaos, the Dogecoin Foundation has managed to maintain a smidge of positivity. The organizations’ efforts to bring back Dogecoin’s essence in the face of trademark trouble sends a message of resilience. As the foundation acknowledged, while the challenges are great, there’s also a collective yearning to secure Dogecoin’s future and ensure that its whimsical legacy remains untarnished.
Thank You Notes
Lastly, a big shout-out to @DACBeachcroft, @PageWhite_IP, and @MosesSingerLLP for their indispensable legal representation. They say teamwork makes the dream work, and in this case, it certainly seems true! Let’s all continue to ride this Doge wave together and see where it takes us next.
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