- Operation Bluebird has launched a new social media platform called Twitter.now, claiming that Elon Musk abandoned the Twitter trademark when he renamed it to X.
- The launch follows a tentative bench ruling from US District Court Judge Colm Connolly suggesting that X Corp may have relinquished IP rights to the word Twitter.
- X Corp has sought a preliminary injunction against Operation Bluebird, leaving the broader trademark dispute unresolved.
- Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 and subsequently rebranded the service as X.
- X Corp sued Operation Bluebird in federal court in Delaware to prevent it from using Twitter-related intellectual property.
- In an April 2026 hearing, US District Court Judge Colm Connolly issued a tentative bench ruling indicating that X appeared to have relinquished intellectual-property claims involving “tweet”.
- Twitter.now is designed to closely resemble the classic Twitter experience, including familiar features such as replies and retweets.
- The new service introduces Vera, an automated real-time fact-checking system intended to reduce the spread of misinformation while maintaining an emphasis on free speech.
- The platform remains in its early stages, with a relatively small initial user base as the trademark litigation continues.
- The launch marks a striking reversal of Musk's decision to replace Twitter's globally recognised identity with X and could set the stage for a renewed battle over social media platforms.
Operation Bluebird has officially launched Twitter.now, a new social media platform aimed at reviving the original Twitter experience. This move follows a tentative ruling from US District Court Judge Colm Connolly, which suggested that X Corp may have abandoned its intellectual property rights to the Twitter name and related trademarks.1234567
The legal battle began when X Corp sued Operation Bluebird last year, attempting to prevent the use of Twitter-related intellectual property. The dispute centers on the Twitter name, the word “tweet”, and the platform's iconic blue bird logo. Operation Bluebird argues that X Corp relinquished these rights when Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in 2022.
In a statement, Operation Bluebird emphasized, “We are not X, and we are not affiliated with X Corp,” asserting its independence. The platform is designed to closely resemble the classic Twitter experience, featuring familiar functionalities like replies and retweets. Additionally, it introduces Vera, an automated real-time fact-checking system aimed at reducing misinformation while promoting free speech.8
Despite the launch, the platform is still in its early stages with a limited user base, as the trademark litigation continues. “Operation Bluebird, Inc. picked up the name X Corp. walked away from and is rebuilding it on trust, in your browser at twitter.now,” the company stated, indicating its commitment to restoring the original Twitter identity.
As the legal situation unfolds, X Corp continues to seek a preliminary injunction against Operation Bluebird, leaving the broader trademark dispute unresolved.
“The new platform introduces Vera, an automated real-time fact-checking system aimed at curbing misinformation while preserving free speech. Stephen Coates, former Twitter general counsel, leads the Virginia-based startup, which argues X Corp abandoned the trademark when Musk rebranded in 2022.”
Inshorts
