Linea, Supported by Consensys, Advises Matter Labs to Retract ZK Trademark Application

Linea, Ethereum’s layer-2 solution backed by Consensys, is calling on Matter Labs to retract its trademark attempts for “ZK,” stating that such filings contradict the ethos of Ethereum.

The zkEVM layer-2 solution Linea, supported by Consensys, is urging Matter Labs, creators of the zkSync layer-2 solution, to abandon their trademark application for “ZK.” Matter Labs intends to use this trademark for an upcoming token.

In a recent post on X, Linea stressed the inconsistency of using legal means to claim ownership over a cryptographic concept, highlighting that this action contradicts Ethereum’s core principles. Linea is urging Matter Labs to align with Ethereum’s mission by withdrawing their trademark application.

Linea has underlined its backing for StarkWare, aligning with their call for Matter Labs to retract its trademark application. This move has garnered opposition from key figures in the crypto industry, including Sandeep Nailwal and Brendan Farmer from Polygon, Eli Ben-Sasson from StarkWare, and Tiancheng Xie, co-founder of Polyhedra Network and inventor of zkBridge.

The controversy arose when Matter Labs initiated trademark filings for “ZK,” seeking to secure exclusive intellectual property rights, despite the ticker already being employed by Polyhedra Network for its token. In response to this development, Polyhedra Network adjusted its ticker to “ZKJ,” condemning Matter Labs’ actions as “a commendable feat as a robber and a thief, not as a blockchain innovator.”

The move triggered strong opposition within the Ethereum community, with detractors arguing that it might impede innovation and cooperation in the swiftly progressing realm of Zero-Knowledge cryptography.

Responding to the criticism, Matter Labs clarified in an X post that their pursuit of ZK-related trademarks aimed to “safeguard the unrestricted use of the term ‘ZK’ in contexts such as ‘ZK Sync,’ ‘ZK Stack,’ and other associated names. Whether one favors it or not, trademarks are presently the sole legal mechanism available for such protection.”