No New Matter Labs Trademark Applications Will Be Filed For ZK As Controversies Grow

Key Points:

• Matter Labs responds to trademark controversy over “zero-knowledge” (ZK), proposing a community-led solution.
• Polygon Labs calls for legal cost coverage, opposing Matter Labs trademark application claims alongside other industry players.

Matter Labs, a prominent player in the blockchain space, has made significant strides toward resolving the recent controversy surrounding the trademarking of key terms like “zero-knowledge” (ZK).

Community-Led Solution to Matter Labs Trademark Applications Dispute over “ZK”

In a bid to ensure the continued accessibility and freedom from abuse of these terms, Matter Labs expressed gratitude to figures such as Vitalik Buterin and NEAR founder Illia Polosukhin for their valuable input.

A community proposal garnering full support suggests the establishment of a non-owner legal entity solely dedicated to holding trademarks for ZK and similar terms. This entity, led by a trusted and impartial organization or community member, would provide free trademark licenses to all parties. Additionally, the company has pledged not to submit new Matter Labs trademark applications for ZK and has committed to financially supporting the creation of this community-led trademark-holder entity.

Pushback Against Matter Labs Trademark Application Claims

However, the matter has not been without its detractors. Polygon Labs’ CEO, Marc Boiron, urged Matter Labs to cover legal costs incurred by others challenging the Matter Labs trademark application, ensuring its permanent closure to prevent future misuse.

The move comes in response to prior backlash against Matter Labs trademark applications in nine countries, which aimed to claim exclusive intellectual property rights over “zero-knowledge” technology. Stakeholders such as Polygon, StarkWare, Polyhedra, and Linea have vehemently opposed these actions, asserting the communal ownership of ZK technology.

Matter Labs maintains that its intention is to safeguard the term “ZK” within the context of its projects, like ZK Sync and ZK Stack, without impeding its broader usage within the community.