California Company Files Trademark Application Related To High Speed Transport in Tubes

Hyperloop technology is on its way, if a recent trademark application is any indication. On January 23rd, a company in California called Hyperloop Technologies, Inc. filed a federal trademark application for the logo seen below.

The interesting aspect of this application, however, is the identification of the services. Those services fall in Class 39 and read as follows: "[t]ransportation services, namely, high-speed transportation of passengers and goods in tubes; Consulting and advisory services in the field of transportation; Providing a website featuring information in the field of transportation; Providing information in the field of transportation[.]"

According to Hyperloop Technologies' website, "Hyperloop is a new way to move people and things at airline speeds for the price of a bus ticket."  The website also claims that a trip from Melbourne, Australia to Sydney in the loop would take approximately 55 minutes (an almost 11 hour trip in the car).

Interestingly, this is not the first trademark application filed by Hyperloop Technologies, Inc. Twenty two trademark applications are on record with the USPTO and 20 of those are still active (although none have registered).  Some of the other applications are for HYPERLOOP ONE, LOOPER, INFINITYLOOP, and HYPERLOOP IS REAL.

Hyperloop Technologies filed most of the applications related to the transportation of passengers in high speed tubes on an intent to use basis, which means they are required to start providing those transpiration services before these applications can mature into a federal trademark registration. TMEP 1109.03; 37 CFR 2.88(a)(2).  Hyperloop technology might not be as far off as it seems.