Tesla's "Cybercab" Name Faces Roadblock: Rival Is a French Beverage Company

Tesla Plans to Launch Autonomous Taxis Cybercab Amid Lawsuit Against Unibev for Fraud and Trademark Squatting

Author: Beiji Peterson

Summary

Tesla is involved in a legal dispute with French beverage wholesaler Unibev over the “Cybercab” trademark, which could impact its international marketing efforts.

Tesla once envisioned a future where autonomous Cybercabs transport passengers in cities, with humanoid robots handling most tasks, creating a “greatly enriched intelligent mobility.”

Previously, the public believed the biggest obstacle for Tesla was technical issues. That changed when an obscure French beverage wholesaler got involved.

Tesla is suing a small beverage distributor called Unibev, which claims to hold the trademark rights to “Cybercab.” This dispute comes just as Tesla’s Cybercab is about to launch — a vehicle seen as key to the company’s autonomous driving and robotics strategy. If the case is delayed, Tesla’s ability to promote Cybercab globally could be restricted.

In a 167-page filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Tesla describes its opponent as “malicious trademark squatters, initially just Tesla fans,” and accuses the French company of fraudulent trademark registration.

The documents show that Unibev co-owner Jean-Louis Lentali, based on Corsica, frequently appears in Tesla’s quarterly earnings calls and often comments on CEO Elon Musk’s posts on X. In recent years, Lentali has congratulated Musk on company news and even invited him to the French island to taste “local fish and lobster.”

There is no indication that Unibev, headquartered in the scenic capital of Ajaccio, has previously manufactured any vehicles. However, in its trademark application, the company states plans to use the “Cybercab” name for its own transportation vehicles, which could include cars, boats, or aircraft.

Jessica Littman, a trademark law professor at the University of Michigan, said, “They are likely doing this to make things difficult for Tesla.” She believes that if Tesla can prove Unibev has never produced a vehicle, it has a strong chance of winning and reclaiming the trademark.

The two companies will appear before the Patent and Trademark Office, with a ruling potentially not coming until 2027.

If the case drags on that long, it could put Tesla in a trademark dilemma during a critical period.

Tesla plans to start production of Cybercab in April and begin sales by the end of the year. Littman said that even without the trademark, Tesla can still sell products in the U.S., but Unibev’s claims could make international launches more difficult, possibly prompting Tesla to attempt to acquire the trademark rights.

“Ultimately, this will cause legal trouble,” Littman said. “These issues could be so troublesome that Tesla might be willing to spend money to settle.”

Tesla representatives did not respond to requests for comment. External lawyer Anthony Lupo, representing Tesla, declined to comment through a spokesperson. Unibev’s U.S. attorney did not respond, nor did the company’s registered directors.

The core of this dispute is when Tesla filed the Cybercab trademark application.

On April 23, 2024, Musk first publicly mentioned the term during a earnings call: “We will showcase the Cybercab designed specifically for autonomous taxis in August.” Six days later, Lentali filed a trademark application for Cybercab in France. Tesla did not file its U.S. trademark application until after the vehicle was announced in October 2024.

In April 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office informed Tesla that its application was suspended because, under international trademark law, Unibev’s French application from April of that year had priority.

Unibev has long been considered a “troublemaker” by Tesla’s trademark lawyers. The beverage company has registered over twenty trademarks related to Tesla and Musk globally, including “Cyber Diner” (smart restaurant) and “With a Touch of Musk” (Musk-themed branding).

In the coming months, the two companies will defend their cases before the Patent and Trademark Office. If Unibev wins, Tesla may need to negotiate to use the name outside the U.S. or change the vehicle’s name internationally. If Tesla wins, it can proceed as planned. There are no current signs that Tesla intends to change the Cybercab name.

Years before the Cybercab trademark application, Unibev had already registered another Tesla-related trademark — a creative beverage called Teslaquila. The company sells beer under this name, with labels featuring Nikola Tesla’s image.

Lentali openly shared this legal victory with Musk.

He wrote on X: “We will welcome you in Ajaccio with a glass of fresh Teslaquila Original Gold. Best wishes.”