Matter Labs Abandons ‘ZK’ Trademark Following Community Outcry

Matter Labs, the team behind the zkSync Ethereum Layer 2 network, recently found itself at the center of a significant controversy within the cryptocurrency community. The company attempted to trademark the term “ZK,” a widely-used acronym for zero-knowledge cryptography. However, intense backlash from industry leaders, developers, and community members led to the withdrawal of their trademark applications.

The Controversy Unfolds

On June 2, 2024, Matter Labs announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that they would cease efforts to trademark “ZK.” This decision came after a week-long dispute with Polyhedra Network and condemnation from various stakeholders in the blockchain space. Polyhedra accused Matter Labs of bullying and violating the principles of Web3, which prioritize decentralization and the public ownership of fundamental technologies.

Matter Labs had initially filed for the trademark in nine different jurisdictions. Their goal was to secure the term “ZK” to ensure its use within their ecosystem, particularly for products like zkSync and ZK Stack. However, the move was perceived as an attempt to privatize a public resource, leading to widespread criticism.

Community Backlash

Prominent figures in the zero-knowledge cryptography field, such as Shafi Goldwasser and Silvio Micali, co-inventors of ZK proofs, along with Sandeep Nailwal and Brendan Farmer, co-founders of Polygon, and Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare, publicly opposed the trademark application. They argued that the term “ZK” should remain a public good accessible to everyone, emphasizing that such fundamental technologies should not be monopolized by any single entity.

In a joint public statement, these leaders condemned the trademark attempt, stating, “ZK shouldn’t be a trademark of a corporation: it should rather be accessible to all. Those of us that work on ZK technology understand that we are standing on the shoulders of giants, of researchers and engineers that created and developed the technology that we use.”

Matter Labs’ Response

In response to the backlash, Matter Labs acknowledged the difficulty in establishing a group that would be perceived as neutral and fair by the global community. They decided to withdraw the trademark applications, stating, “These discussions came down to one important fact: it would be impossible to agree on a group of people perceived as credibly neutral by nearly everyone.”

Matter Labs expressed gratitude to the community for their feedback and support. They reiterated their commitment to the ethos of the crypto community, which values transparency, decentralization, and the collective ownership of critical technologies.

Industry Impact

The incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining public access to fundamental cryptographic technologies. The attempt to trademark “ZK” sparked a broader discussion about intellectual property in the Web3 space and the need to balance corporate interests with the community’s values.

This event also underscored the power of community-driven governance in the crypto world. The strong opposition from key industry players and the swift mobilization of the community played a crucial role in Matter Labs’ decision to retract their trademark efforts.

Moving Forward

As the crypto industry continues to evolve, this incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting the open and collaborative nature of blockchain technology. The withdrawal of the “ZK” trademark by Matter Labs is a victory for the community, ensuring that essential technologies remain accessible to all and reinforcing the principle that some aspects of technology should remain public goods.

In conclusion, the decision by Matter Labs to abandon their trademark application for “ZK” following significant community backlash reflects the ongoing struggle to balance corporate ambitions with the foundational values of the crypto space. This outcome highlights the importance of community engagement and the collective stewardship of critical technologies in the blockchain ecosystem.