Home / Business and Economy / Startup Reclaims 'Twitter' Name from X
Startup Reclaims 'Twitter' Name from X
27 Aug
Summary
- Operation Bluebird launched Twitter.now, claiming trademark rights.
- A judge tentatively ruled X Corp. abandoned Twitter's trademarks.
- The new platform features an AI fact-checking tool called Vera.
Virginia-based startup Operation Bluebird announced on Monday the launch of its new social media network, Twitter.now. The company claims it has acquired the rights to the 'Twitter' name and logo after X Corp. allegedly abandoned them. This move follows Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and its subsequent rebranding to X.
Operation Bluebird's cofounder, Stephen Coates, stated that a federal judge made a tentative ruling in an April 2026 hearing suggesting X Corp. had relinquished trademark claims over 'tweet,' the bird logo, and possibly even 'Twitter.' This was deemed sufficient by Coates to proceed with the launch.
The new platform, Twitter.now, emphasizes its independence from X Corp., stating, "We are not X, and we are not affiliated with X Corp." It aims to recreate a town square environment focused on trust and safety, distinct from the previous iteration of Twitter.
A notable feature of Twitter.now is "Vera," an AI-based "veracity engine for real-time analysis" powered by Gemini, designed to fact-check every post. Coates hopes this tool will contribute to a safer online space, prioritizing free speech without amplifying harmful or inaccurate viral content.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben commented that while Operation Bluebird's legal theory might be workable, X Corp. is expected to fiercely contest the launch. He noted that this escalation by Operation Bluebird has "upped the ante" in the ongoing legal dispute, predicting further response from X Corporation.
