Nissan isn’t the first automaker to file a patent for its products. General Motors, Ford, and Benz have all filed multiple Web3 trademark applications.
Japanese automaker Nissan has made four new web3 trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). According to the USPTO, the trademark filings were submitted on March 7 for the company’s Infiniti, Nismo, and Nissan models.
Previously, the brand filed trademarks for its more popular cars, including the SKYLINE, Z, and GTR models. Trademark attorney, Mike Kondoudis, stated that the filings suggest Nissan has plans for NFTs, an NFT marketplace, metaverse advertising, virtual clothes and cars, and other virtual goods. The automaker also announced plans for web3 entertainment through online videos, pictures, artwork, audio, and trading cards.
Among other things, Nissan will also have a website detailing needed information about the proposed Nissan NFTs. Also, Nissan plans to launch a digital wallet for its customers.
Nissan Japan Experimenting with Virtual Car Store
Meanwhile, Nissan Japan is experimenting with auto sales in the metaverse. On March 8, the subsidiary announced it would begin demonstrations in its virtual store, the Nissan Hype Lab.
Users can visit the virtual store anytime from their PC or smartphone and “study, consult, test drive, and purchase Nissan vehicles.” Customers can create avatars and consult with a virtual sales staff during specific work hours.
Nissan Japan noted it would also be attempting to close orders for cars and complete the contracts through this virtual sales office, The experiment will last for 3 months and round up the investigation by June 30.
Automakers and Web3 Trademark Applications
Nissan isn’t the first automaker to file a patent for its products. General Motors, Ford, and Benz have all filed multiple Web3 trademark applications.
Trademark attorney Mike Kondoudis said trademark applications for NFTs, web 3, and crypto-products skyrocketed in 2022. This was regardless of the crypto winter and the protracted bear market that affected NFT sales.
As of January 2023, the USPTO had received 7,746 trademark applications related to NFTs. Compared to the 2021 trademark filings which peaked at 2,087, institutional interest in NFT and web3 may be growing. According to a Grandview report, the metaverse industry is projected to grow by another $240 billion by 2030.
Kondoudis believes the continuous filing of patents is a good signal as it suggests that the companies have plans to use the applications.
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