Facebook's rebranding to "Meta" in October could face problems since a company already exists by the same name

Last month, Facebook announced that it would be rebranding as "META". However, the company that owns the PC manufacturer that is preventing the switch might stand in the way of the rebranding move. Earlier this year, a technology company named Meta PC applied for a trademark for the term "Meta" as a synonym for items relating to technology such as computers, laptops, tablets, and software, months before Mark Zuckerberg or his company could file a trademark application.

Despite being in business for over a year, Meta PC has only recently filed a trademark request for the word META. It filed the trademark request on August 23, 2021, well before Zuckerberg announced Facebook's rebranding. Thus, Facebook's new name META might not be able to become a registered trademark.

Both companies have taken some time to file trademarks, but Meta PC definitely has the advantage after being the first to file. Joe Darger and Zack Shutt, founders of Meta PC, admitted to TMZ that they wouldn't mind giving up their trademark application if Facebook paid them $20 million.

Despite the fact that $20 million is certainly a steep asking price, Darger and Shutt explained that if Facebook were to be granted the trademark, they would be forced to rebrand their entire organization, which would be costly, especially given the rise in popularity of the PC company. Facebook and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg have not yet responded to Meta PC's request, but it appears that a response will come soon since the rebranding activity at Facebook is going all-out.

I would expect the company to gain a good deal of popularity following the announcement of Facebook's Meta brand, even if it doesn't receive the $20 million it's asking for. According to TMZ, the company has witnessed a 5,000% increase in its followers across the board through its social media accounts, which include Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Despite the situation's absurdity, Meta PC seems to be enjoying the humor it is making on its social media pages, which it appears to enjoy quite a bit.

mark zuckerberg announces @METAPCs pic.twitter.com/nq9y7Jk8XQ

— Ricky Berwick (@rickyberwick) October 28, 2021

Facebook is looking to trademark the word "Meta" for its intended use. Facebook's trademark on the name META does not pertain to computers, laptops, tablets, or software under Meta PC's trademark. If that's the case, Meta PC may have to rebrand itself without the $20 million in funding it has proposed.

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