Ex-Twitter lawyer launches bird-themed social network amid unresolved trademark fight
A group led by Stephen Coates, former legal counsel for the original Twitter, has launched a new social platform at Twitter.now. The launch proceeds while a Delaware judge still weighs a preliminary injunction sought by Elon Musk's X in a trademark lawsuit. The team argues that X abandoned the Twitter brand and logo after its 2022 rebrand, and a prior ruling hinted the case could favor them.
The launch follows months of legal maneuvering. Operation Bluebird's position rests on the argument that X Corp. forfeited its claim to Twitter's identity when it rebranded in 2022. Judge Connolly's April ruling, which questioned whether X presented credible evidence of continued use of "tweet" or the bird logo, has emboldened the group.
The platform charges a $20 founder fee, which the team says deters bots and preserves independence. Its Vera AI fact-checking tool, however, has already shown limitations, reportedly blocking an innocuous Star Wars post. The site's mission statement criticizes modern social media for rewarding outrage and manufacturing consensus.
This launch could test how trademark law applies to abandoned brand identities in the tech sector, potentially influencing future disputes over dormant intellectual property. Users nostalgic for the original Twitter experience may find an alternative, though the $20 fee and unproven AI moderation could limit adoption. The case's