Matter Labs Drops ZK Trademark Bid Amid Backlash

In A Nutshell

Matter Labs, known for its Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution zkSync, recently withdrew its attempt to trademark the term “ZK”, an abbreviation for “zero knowledge” proofs, following significant pushback from the cryptographic and blockchain community. This decision was announced shortly after a public condemnation by leading ZK experts, who argued that ZK technologies should remain available for public use, not become the intellectual property of a single firm.

The Controversy Around ZK Trademarks

Matter Labs’ initial move to secure trademarks related to “ZK” sparked a debate about the ownership and control of foundational cryptographic technologies. Zero-knowledge proofs are a key innovation in enabling privacy and scalability on blockchains, considered by many as a public good rather than a proprietary asset. The firm’s attempt to trademark aspects of this technology was met with a public letter from several respected figures in the ZK research field, including two of the original inventors of ZK-proofs, condemning the action as against the ethos of the cryptocurrency industry. The letter highlighted concerns that such legal maneuvers threaten the collaborative and open nature of blockchain technology development.

Matter Labs’ Response and Decision

Following the backlash, Matter Labs released a statement on June 2, outlining their decision to retract all ZK-related trademark applications. The company clarified that their original intention was to protect its specific products, like “ZK Sync” and “ZK Stack”, from misuse by others, rather than to monopolize the use of the term “ZK” itself. Alex Gluchowski, founder and CEO of Matter Labs, emphasized the company’s opposition to the concept of intellectual property monopolies, stating that their trademark filings were purely defensive.

Implications for the ZK and Blockchain Community

This incident has reignited discussions about the balance between protecting innovations and ensuring that key technologies remain open and accessible. It serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of intellectual property in the blockchain space, where the ethos of decentralization and open-source collaboration often clashes with the legal realities of the business world.

Our Take

Matter Labs’ decision to withdraw its trademark applications is a positive outcome for the blockchain and cryptographic community. It demonstrates a willingness to listen to community feedback and reinforces the importance of keeping foundational technologies as accessible public goods. This episode underscores the ongoing challenges faced by blockchain innovators in navigating the complexities of intellectual property laws while adhering to the ethos of openness and collaboration that underpins the technology. As the blockchain industry continues to evolve, it will be essential for companies to find ways to protect their innovations without compromising the communal spirit that drives the sector forward.