Bluesky Acquires AT Protocol Trademark for Ecosystem Defense
Original: Bluesky Trademarks ATProto
Why This Matters
Trademark protection secures the open AT Protocol ecosystem against legal threats and brand abuse.
Bluesky PBC announced on July 15, 2026 that it has acquired the trademark rights for 'ATPROTOCOL' and variants including 'AT Protocol' and 'atproto' from a third party that had threatened legal action against the company and the broader developer community.
Bluesky PBC has acquired trademark rights for 'ATPROTOCOL,' 'AT Protocol,' and 'atproto' from an unnamed company that had threatened legal action to prevent Bluesky and others from using the term. The acquisition is described as a defensive measure to protect the atproto developer ecosystem. According to Jim Ray's blog post, most everyday use — including open source projects, documentation, and compatibility claims — does not require a license. A license will only be required when a commercial entity uses the mark as part of branding or paid services, such as company names, registered domains, paid events, merchandise, or official-sounding certifications. Impersonation and incompatible protocols presenting themselves as atproto are explicitly prohibited. Bluesky states it intends to make the mark freely available in good faith, and plans to eventually transfer ownership to an independent protocol governance organization. Developers with questions can contact trademarks@atproto.com.