AI startup caught in Dev Mode trademark row
‘Dev Mode’ dispute highlights Figma’s growing focus on brand protection.
Figma has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Swedish AI startup Loveable over the use of the term ‘Dev Mode,’ a name Figma trademarked in 2023.
Loveable recently introduced its own Dev Mode feature, prompting the design platform to demand the startup stop using the name, citing its established use and intellectual property rights.
Figma’s version of Dev Mode helps bridge the gap between designers and developers, while Loveable’s tool allows users to preview and edit code without linking to GitHub.
Despite their differing functions, Figma insists on protecting the trademark, even though ‘developer mode’ is a widely used phrase across many software platforms. Companies such as Atlassian and Wix have used similar terminology long before Figma obtained the trademark.
The legal move arrives as Figma prepares for an initial public offering, following Adobe’s failed acquisition attempt in 2023. The sudden emphasis on brand protection suggests the company is taking extra care with its intellectual assets ahead of its potential stock market debut.
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