Quick take:
- Wingstop has filed a trademark application to sell virtual goods in the metaverse.
- The application covers downloadable virtual products including NFTs, virtual food and drinks.
- The multi-class trademark was submitted to the US patent and trademarks office (USPTO) on Feb. 25.
Popular US hot wings restaurant chain Wingstop has filed a multi-class trademark application to sell virtual products in the metaverse.
According to the application filed with the US patents and trademarks office (USPTO) on Feb. 25, Wingstop will offer downloadable digital goods like NFTs, as well as, virtual food and drinks.
Wingstop’s filing comes at the back of a string of trademark filings submitted by restaurants. McDonald’s and Panera Bread have already submitted their own versions this year.
Wingstop’s filing also covers the creation of an online marketplace where people can trade NFTs, digital assets, and artwork.
Other than ordering virtual hot wings in the metaverse, users will also be able to trade cryptocurrency, NFTs, and digital tokens within Wingstop’s metaverse.
Moreover, the filing suggests that the fast-food company will be offering downloadable loyalty and reward cards, which it says will be redeemable for food in both the virtual and real worlds.
Although the company could not divulge more details about its metaverse plans yet, a Wingstop spokesperson said “the filing signifies an exciting public step to serve the world flavour in a virtual space.”
The USPTO has registered a significant increase in trademark filings in the last seven months. According to a recent report, US trademark applications increased by 552% in the six months ending Jan. 2022 amid the metaverse and NFT hype.
In the same report, US companies are filing an average of 15 trademark applications per day in 2022.
Intellectual Property attorney Josh Gerben, who has been following the trademark activity closely told Forbes last month that he expects every recognised brand to file trademark applications for products related to NFTs and the metaverse within the next 12 months.
“I don’t think anyone wants to be the next Blockbuster and just completely ignore a new technology that’s coming,” he said.
Some of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Walmart, and Under Armour have all filed various trademarks with the USPTO. Even athletes and artists are now taking to the trademark buzzword, as they move to pounce on opportunities in the metaverse.
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