Ethereum Game Network Strikes Back at Musk’s AI Empire
A blockchain-based gaming network has accused Elon Musk’s xAI of trademark infringement and unfair competition, claiming its name is too similar to xAI’s.
The complaint, which was filed Thursday in a California court, argues that Musk’s use of the xAI name and branding has created huge confusion in the marketplace with consumers, publications and notably Musk’s own AI bot Grok.
Delaware-based Ex Populus had been using the XAI trademark since June 2023 for its blockchain-based gaming ecosystem and the $XAI token. The firm’s assertion is that Musk’s branding choice threatens years of work and recognition.
The phrase “this is a textbook case of trademark infringement which needs the intervention of the court immediately” says Ex Populus in its filing.
Confusion Deepens With Musk’s Gaming Studio Plans
Things got heated again after Musk said in July 2023 he was starting an xAI, as well as in November 2024 when he announced ambitions for an xAI gaming studio.
According to Xai, that was the breaking point. The lawsuit suggests that Musk’s companies are drawing away players from other gaming companies, resulting in reputational harm that extends beyond a mere brand overlap.
The company says the fallout has been severe. Xai claims to have encountered “negative customer sentiment” that has never existed before as a result of Musk’s polarizing public persona and controversies linked to his AI products.
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Musk’s Lawyers Turn Up the Heat
This filing also claims that Musk’s legal team was trying to intimidate Ex Populus into abandoning its trademark rights by threatening the cancellation of its registration earlier this month.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) just made things worse. As a result of a likely conflict with the Xai mark, the USPTO blocked xAI trademark applications from Musk.
What Xai Wants From the Court
Ex Populus isn’t backing down. The company is seeking:
- Damages for trademark infringement
- Musk’s xAI applications to be canceled
- A court order prohibiting Musk’s firm from using the name xAI for anything gaming or blockchain related
The complaint closes with a dramatic claim:
“There is no way at law to repair the damage done by the Defendants which is so massive.”
The Bigger Picture
The battle that started over a name is now a case of the mouse against the elephant. A blockchain gaming startup is struggling to remain its own brand — and Elon Musk’s empire could be forced to u-turn.
