This article was published on April 27, 2016

Facebook wants to trash UK startup Littergram’s name


Protecting your trademark from rivals is an essential part of any successful business. If you have a hit, someone will always want to trade on your name.

However, I’m not sure I can agree that Littergram, a UK-only app that lets people report local trash hotspots in the hope of being surrounded by less of it in future, is too similar or much of a threat to Instagram’s success.

Facebook disagrees and has, after following up for a more detailed chat, continued with its request that Littergram change its name and respond to its letter by tomorrow.

littergram

If Mark Zuckerberg isn’t taken with the plea to back down from Littergram’s founder Danny Lucas, it’ll have no choice but to change its name over the coming months or face a legal challenge. At this stage, Facebook is objecting to the registration of the trademark.

The 💜 of EU tech

The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!

We’ve contacted Facebook for comment and will update with any response.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Also tagged with