USPTO Grants CBS Studios Star Trek Trademark for NFTs

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted CBS Studios permission to use the Star Trek name in nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and crypto collectibles associated with its Continuum series.

According to USPTO records, the government agency registered the Star Trek trademark on August 8 after receiving a request from CBS in April.

The trademark included usage in an online marketplace for digital crypto collectibles and videos authenticated by NFTs.

Star Trek Continuum, though likely an enticing name for a television series to many Trekkies, refers to a line of customizable NFTs depicting various starships from various science fiction adventures. The trademark emphasizes “Star Trek Continuum.”

Non-cryptocurrency and blockchain companies entering the space may find it challenging to navigate the complexities of U.S. trademark and patent law.

More than 6,000 trademark applications for NFTs were submitted by companies in 2022, compared to approximately 2,000 in 2021.

The Star Trek universe, whose stories span the 22nd to 25th centuries, continues to serve as a source of inspiration for many enthusiasts, including crypto users.

William Shatner, who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek series in the 1960s and is 92 years old, spoke at the 2023 Consensus Conference and will do so again in 2024.