Meta receives a 30-day ultimatum to stop using the name “Threads” in UK

A British software company, Threads Software Limited, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Meta’s Instagram, demanding that they stop using the name “Threads” in the UK, asserting ownership of the trademark.

The company contends that it sent a formal notice to Meta on Monday, insisting on the discontinuation of the “Threads” name. Threads Software Limited has also warned of pursuing a court injunction if Meta does not comply.

Threads Software Limited successfully registered the “Threads” name as a trademark in 2012 for its intelligent messaging hub, which provides the ability to store a company’s emails, tweets, and voice-over internet protocol phone calls in a cloud database.

In an official statement, the company disclosed that it had turned down four purchase offers from Meta’s legal team for the domain name “threads.app.”

It was only after Meta launched its “Threads” social media application, aimed at competing with Elon Musk’s X, that Threads Software Limited alleges its removal from Facebook occurred.

John Yardley, the Managing Director of Threads Software Limited, expressed concerns, stating that the business “faces a serious threat from one of the largest technology companies in the world.”

Meta’s “Threads” app was introduced in July, shortly after Elon Musk’s controversial introduction of temporary tweet limits. It rapidly gained popularity and became the fastest app to attain 100 million users, achieving this milestone in just five days, aided by its association with Instagram.

Threads Software Limited is determined in its demand for Meta to cease using the “Threads” name in the UK to protect its trademark rights. More information will be provided as the story develops. 

Meta has been accused in the past for trademark infringement. “On October 28, 2021,” a 12-year-old company registered as MetaX LLC says, “Facebook seized our META mark and name, which we put our blood, sweat, and tears into building for over twelve years.”

MetaX LLC went ahead to file a lawsuit in a Manhattan court on July 19th 2022 with a complaint that the disruptions caused by Facebook’s rebranding to Meta have impacted its business.