Matter Labs made a decision to stop pursuing the trademark for 'ZK,' short for zero-knowledge proof, following significant pushback from industry stakeholders. This decision came after vocal criticisms from key figures in the cryptographic field, including renowned innovators like Shafi Goldwasser and Silvio Micali. The community's outcry emphasized the importance of keeping foundational technologies like zero-knowledge proofs accessible to all rather than being restricted by corporate ownership. Matter Labs originally sought to trademark terms related to 'ZK' but faced backlash, prompting a reversal of their trademark applications. The withdrawal of these applications, announced on social media, signifies a shift towards embracing open technology standards. The intention behind the trademark filings was to protect specific contexts like 'ZK Sync' and 'ZK Stack,' aiming to prevent misinterpretation in the market rather than claim exclusive rights to the terms. However, the broader blockchain community viewed this move as potentially hindering the advancement and wider use of ZK technologies. The controversy arose as Matter Labs' ZkSync network, known for its innovative use of ZK-proofs in Ethereum Layer 2 scaling, prepared for an airdrop. Despite the positive transaction volumes and significant role within the blockchain ecosystem, ZkSync opted not to pursue trademark protection, aligning with a more collaborative approach within the Ethereum Layer 2 landscape. By forgoing trademark applications, ZkSync maintains its position in the competitive environment while fostering innovation and adoption. The decision to retract the trademark bid reflects a commitment to openness and inclusivity in technological development, ensuring that essential tools like ZK remain freely available to drive industry progress.
Matter Labs Withdraws ZK Trademark Application Amid Community Opposition

by Giorgi Kostiuk
2 years ago

Other news
Google's Gemini 3 Enhances AI Overviews for Better Search Quality

Google's latest AI model, Gemini 3, enhances the quality and accuracy of search responses as the default engine for AI Overviews globally.

Fusaka Upgrade Enhances Ethereum's Onchain Capacity

The Fusaka upgrade has significantly improved Ethereum's data capacity and transaction processing capabilities.

Ether Price Faces 15.9% Correction, Liquidations Triggered

Ether experienced a 15.9% price correction, leading to significant liquidations of bullish leveraged positions.

Ethereum Records 164 Million Weekly Transactions Amid Scaling Improvements

Ethereum's network activity remains strong with 164 million onchain transactions logged, while layer 2 networks see significant growth.

GTreasury Unveils Ripple Treasury: A Game-Changer in Corporate Treasury Management

GTreasury has launched Ripple Treasury, a groundbreaking platform designed to enhance corporate treasury management by addressing operational complexity and supporting product innovation.

UK Government Partners with Meta to Enhance Public Services through AI

The UK government collaborates with AI specialists and Meta to develop open-source tools aimed at improving public services and national security.

Be the first to know about crypto news every day
Get crypto analysis, news and updates right to your inbox! Sign up here so you don’t miss a single newsletter