QUAD DOMAINS
Established Member
- Impact
- 502
With all the swirling discussions regarding OpenAi’s ChatGPT.com UDRP filing, now feels like the perfect time to dive down the rabbit hole of their pending trademark applications. Not so much the “ChatGPT” application; but the “GPT” application specifically. Before proceeding further, it’s important to note QUAD Domains is a firm believer in trademark protections and rights. As holders of trademarks, we value IP (Intellectual Property) across the board. However, we’re also objective enough to recognize there’s a practice we call “IP monopolization” that exists. It involves leveraging copyright, trademark and patent filing procedures to unfairly, and in some cases unethically, place other individuals and businesses at a disadvantage. In no way are we implying OpenAi is partaking in IP monopolization. However, it’s the far-reaching negative impact a trademark for “GPT” COULD potentially have on individuals, businesses, industries and language that prompts a bit of concern.
Now, the letters G, P and T are characters synonymous with the english alphabet. This might seem like an obvious fact; but you’ll understand why it was referenced here in a moment. With letters come words; and with words come abbreviations. The sheer amount of meanings that could exist for any configuration of letters is practically infinite. Regardless of whether one deems GPT to mean “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer” in the case of ChatGPT.com, or “Given to People on Time” in the case of AdviceGPT.com, it’s easy to see GPT could literally mean anything. Especially in the domaining space where “The shorter, the better.” is the mantra. Abbreviations are a commonplace way for individuals, companies and brands to make their domain names concise and easy to type/remember. It’s this factor in particular that makes “OpenAi’s UDRP filing” and “GPT trademark application” a potentially lethal cocktail for IP protection rights and procedures in the future.
QUAD believes OpenAi has the explicit right to protect their interests. Especially if they’re the originator of products, services and brands that align with those interests. However, we can all agree they aren’t the originators of letters, language, abbreviation and meaning. Nor are they originators of configuration. They read to be the originators of an arguably ground-breaking piece of technology that so happens to be nicknamed “GPT”. Because GPT is said to mean “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer”, it’s worth emphasizing that GPT in fact amounts to a nickname in this case. Furthermore, it seems fitting for OpenAi to file a trademark application for “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer” since it’s the technology being leveraged etc. (If they haven’t already.) Things could get really complicated if the USPTO grants OpenAi’s request for trademark protections for GPT. Combine this with a potential UDRP win, and they (OpenAi) could open the door to claiming infringement with regard to any domain, business or brand that uses the letters G, P and T.
In closing, we’re not ones to loosely speculate about outcomes of business matters. We genuinely wish all parties involved in the ChatGPT.com UDRP situation the best of luck in reaching a sound and fair conclusion. Hopefully this case can serve as an example for why many systems and standards need to be reimagined to ensure the loudest, and most popular, voice isn't automatically given the red carpet to monopolize origin. Again, OpenAi is well within its right to pursue whatever legal action they deem fit to protect their interests. However, the domain community has a responsibility to weigh-in for the sake of protecting “domain names and choice digital identity”. If a trademark for GPT is granted in relation to AI, this would make any business using AI in conjuction with a domain that has the letters GPT vulnerable to a UDRP filing and/or infringement claim. So, if grandma’s name is Gloria Patterson Tate, and she uses GPTcookies.com for her website that leverages Ai-edited recipe videos, she could be targeted.
We don’t want to see grandma targeted do we?
HAVE A PROSPEROUS WEEK!
🗣 Mel - QUAD DOMAINS
Now, the letters G, P and T are characters synonymous with the english alphabet. This might seem like an obvious fact; but you’ll understand why it was referenced here in a moment. With letters come words; and with words come abbreviations. The sheer amount of meanings that could exist for any configuration of letters is practically infinite. Regardless of whether one deems GPT to mean “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer” in the case of ChatGPT.com, or “Given to People on Time” in the case of AdviceGPT.com, it’s easy to see GPT could literally mean anything. Especially in the domaining space where “The shorter, the better.” is the mantra. Abbreviations are a commonplace way for individuals, companies and brands to make their domain names concise and easy to type/remember. It’s this factor in particular that makes “OpenAi’s UDRP filing” and “GPT trademark application” a potentially lethal cocktail for IP protection rights and procedures in the future.
QUAD believes OpenAi has the explicit right to protect their interests. Especially if they’re the originator of products, services and brands that align with those interests. However, we can all agree they aren’t the originators of letters, language, abbreviation and meaning. Nor are they originators of configuration. They read to be the originators of an arguably ground-breaking piece of technology that so happens to be nicknamed “GPT”. Because GPT is said to mean “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer”, it’s worth emphasizing that GPT in fact amounts to a nickname in this case. Furthermore, it seems fitting for OpenAi to file a trademark application for “Generative Pre-Trained Transformer” since it’s the technology being leveraged etc. (If they haven’t already.) Things could get really complicated if the USPTO grants OpenAi’s request for trademark protections for GPT. Combine this with a potential UDRP win, and they (OpenAi) could open the door to claiming infringement with regard to any domain, business or brand that uses the letters G, P and T.
In closing, we’re not ones to loosely speculate about outcomes of business matters. We genuinely wish all parties involved in the ChatGPT.com UDRP situation the best of luck in reaching a sound and fair conclusion. Hopefully this case can serve as an example for why many systems and standards need to be reimagined to ensure the loudest, and most popular, voice isn't automatically given the red carpet to monopolize origin. Again, OpenAi is well within its right to pursue whatever legal action they deem fit to protect their interests. However, the domain community has a responsibility to weigh-in for the sake of protecting “domain names and choice digital identity”. If a trademark for GPT is granted in relation to AI, this would make any business using AI in conjuction with a domain that has the letters GPT vulnerable to a UDRP filing and/or infringement claim. So, if grandma’s name is Gloria Patterson Tate, and she uses GPTcookies.com for her website that leverages Ai-edited recipe videos, she could be targeted.
We don’t want to see grandma targeted do we?
HAVE A PROSPEROUS WEEK!
🗣 Mel - QUAD DOMAINS
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