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Meta Logo Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: Dfinity Foundation has filed a copyright infringement class action lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc.
- Why: Dfinity alleges Meta knowingly uses a logo that infringes upon its trademarked infinity-shaped logo.
- Where: The Meta class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc., is facing a copyright infringement class action lawsuit alleging it intentionally sought to register an infinity-shaped logo that infringes upon a Swiss computing foundation’s logo.
Dfinity Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Zurich, alleges Meta knew about its trademark infinity-shaped logo yet decided to proceed with a trademark application to register a mark with similar features.
The Meta class action lawsuit states that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Dfinity registration of the infinity logo in October 2018. Prior to that, the World Intellectual Property Organization issued International Registration for the “infinity symbol with the word ‘DFINITY’ under the symbol” in 2017.
Dfinity says it has been using the mark with color variations since at least March 2017.
Meta Class Action Alleges Logo Copyright Infringement Harms Dfinity’s Brand
Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in October 2021 that it would rebrand the company to reflect its new focus on the “metaverse,” an interactive online virtual reality experience.
In March, Facebook reportedly filed an application with the USPTO seeking a trademark on a “geometric design consisting of two loops,” the Meta class action lawsuit alleges.
Meta’s website currently shows a blue infinity-shaped logo next to the name Meta. Its website also includes multicolored variations of the logo that are reminiscent of logo variations used by Dfinity, according to the lawsuit.
Dfinity alleges Meta’s similar logo damages its reputation for protecting privacy and creates a significant likelihood that consumers will be confused by the similar logo.
“Any association between Dfinity and Meta would cause consumers, including users and developers, to question Dfinity’s core mission,” the Meta class action lawsuit states.
Dfinity develops an internet computer, which is designed to provide developers with a public platform that allows them to create websites, enterprise systems and internet services within an open environment.
“Moreover, Dfinity would be severely harmed in its development of the Internet Computer and its ability to attract users if those users were to associate Dfinity with Meta’s sordid online privacy history,” Dfinity alleges, pointing to the massive Cambridge Analytica scandal for which the U.S. Trade Commission issued a $5 billion fine for Facebook’s role in the political consulting firm’s data harvesting.
Dfinity filed the Meta class action lawsuit to prevent the company from continuing to infringe on its trademark and seeks an award of all profits Meta earned by infringing upon its trademarked logo design.
Another recent Meta class action lawsuit accuses the company of profiting by publishing advertisements that feature images stolen from artists.
Do you think Meta knowingly engaged in copyright infringement of Dfinity’s trademark? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Dfinity is represented by Dennis S. Ellis, Keith J. Wesley, Katherine F. Murray and Armine Alajajian of Ellis George Cippolone O’Brien Annaguey LLP.
The Meta Logo Copyright Infringement Class Action Lawsuit is Dfinity Foundation v. Meta Platforms Inc., Case No. 3:22-cv-02632, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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