Fast-food giant Mcdonald’s might be bringing the world-famous Golden Arches to the metaverse.
According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben, the leading burger chain has recently filed ten trademark applications indicating plans to sell virtual goods.
One of the trademark applications is revealingly specific for “operating a virtual restaurant featuring actual and virtual goods, operating a virtual restaurant online featuring home delivery.”
This is not McDonald’s first step into the crypto sphere. In September 2021, McDonald’s in El Salvador began accepting Bitcoin (BTC) payments for Big Macs and Happy Meals.
Josh Gerben explains why companies like McDonald’s must file trademarks for their intellectual property use in the metaverse.
“Any trademark registration is limited to the goods and/or services a company has applied for in the past. With the emergence of a new technology, it is common for companies to file new trademarks to ensure protection is clear as it relates to new goods and/or services they plan to offer.
That said, from a practical perspective, McDonald’s existing trademarks would prevent someone from opening a McDonald’s in the metaverse. The new filings they are making are just a ‘best practice’ to ensure they have all the tools available to enforce their trademarks if it becomes necessary.”
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