The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has accepted CBS Studios’ application for the Star Trek name to be used in nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and crypto collectibles connected to its Continuum series.
According to USPTO records, the government office registered the character mark for the Star Trek line on Aug. 8, having received an application from CBS in April. The trademark included use in an online marketplace for digital crypto collectibles as well as video clips authenticated by NFTs.
Star Trek Continuum, though likely an enticing name for a television series for many Trekkies, refers to a line of NFTs featuring different starships from the various adventures in the science fiction universe, customized to users’ liking. The trademark focuses on the name “Star Trek Continuum”.
The #USPTO has granted the CBS trademark application for STAR TREK CONTINUUM. The name is now a registered trademark for
Navigating the intricacies of U.S. trademark and patent laws could become a challenge for non-crypto and blockchain companies entering the space. Firms filed more than 6,000 trademark applications for NFTs in 2022 compared with roughly 2,000 in 2021.
The universe of Star Trek, whose stories range from the 22nd century to the 25th century, continues to be a source of inspiration for many fans, which include crypto users. William Shatner, who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk on the original series in the 1960s, is now 92 years old but spoke at the 2023 Consensus conference and is scheduled to do so again in 2024.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has resigned from the Labour Party.
The 53-year-old MP is the first to jump ship since the general election and in her resignation letter criticised the prime minister for accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts.
She told Sir Keir Starmer the reason for leaving now is “the programme of policies you seem determined to stick to”, despite their unpopularity with the electorate and MPs.
In her letter she accused the prime minister and his top team of “sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice” which are “off the scale”.
“I’m so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party,” she said.
Since December 2019, the prime minister received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a specific category in parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
More from Politics
Ms Duffield, who has previously clashed with the prime minister on gender issues, attacked the government for pursuing “cruel and unnecessary” policies as she resigned the Labour whip.
She criticised the decision to keep the two-child benefit cap and means-test the winter fuel payment, and accused the prime minister of “hypocrisy” over his acceptance of free gifts from donors.
“Since the change of government in July, the revelations of hypocrisy have been staggering and increasingly outrageous,” she said.
“I cannot put into words how angry I and my colleagues are at your total lack of understanding about how you have made us all appear.”
Ms Duffield also mentioned the recent “treatment of Diane Abbott”, who said she thought she had been barred from standing by Labour ahead of the general election, before Sir Keir said she would be allowed to defend her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for the party.
Her relationship with the Labour leadership has long been strained and her decision to quit the party comes after seven other Labour MPs were suspended for rebelling by voting for a motion calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished.
“Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister,” she said.
Ms Duffield said she will continue to represent her constituents as an independent MP, “guided by my core Labour values”.