Polygon Legal Policy Officer Responds to ZK Trademark Registration: Trying to Add TM to Widely Used Code Names Is Anti-Open Source

On May 31st, Polygon's legal and policy officer, Rebecca Rettig, wrote a post on X regarding Matter Labs, the developer of zkSync, applying for a ZK trademark. She stated that cryptocurrency is about changing paradigms such as self-sovereignty, transparency, community, and freedom. Sometimes, trademarks may have meaning in this field, but attempting to add a TM trademark to widely used code names is no different than being anti-open source. If certain organizations or individuals seek to have TM trademark rights on "ZK" because it is related to "downloadable and recordable encryption software," they are simply telling the trademark registration office that they should have the right to use the term and type of software, ignoring the countless industries that rely on ZK technology and use the term. So far, no TM trademarks have been granted in the nine jurisdictions where applications have been submitted, and these applications must undergo review and any opposition.