Ethereum’s ambitious BEAM initiative, shortly after its introduction received a cease-and-desist order due to an existing trademark on the name "BEAM." Now, Ethereum researchers and developers are scrambling to find a new name while continuing their work on this project.
Why Ethereum’s BEAM Needs a New Name?
The issue stems from two existing blockchain tokens—one launched in 2019 and another in 2023—both using the name BEAM. The 2023 token has an active trademark on the name, and its legal team swiftly moved to protect it after Ethereum’s recent BEAM announcement.
In response, Ethereum Foundation researchers engaged in discussions with Ethereum’s legal team and representatives from the trademarked BEAM token. The outcome was to rebrand Ethereum’s BEAM.
Ethereum researchers are now calling on the community to help brainstorm a new name. A decentralized approach to rebranding is being considered, where Ethereum users and developers can submit and vote on potential names.
Some criteria for the new name include:
- No existing trademarks or conflicts within the blockchain space.
- Easy to recognize and pronounce for a global audience.
- Reflects the core mission of enhancing Ethereum’s consensus layer using ZK proofs.
Several suggestions have already surfaced internally, and an official community naming process may launch soon.
How Does This Affect Ethereum’s Roadmap?
While a rebranding effort can be a distraction, Ethereum’s development timeline remains intact. The first phase of BEAM’s technical implementation is still on track for 2025, with multiple development teams working on early client prototypes.
Additionally, the Ethereum Foundation continues to fund and support teams building BEAM clients, ensuring that despite the name change, the project moves forward without disruption.
Ethereum’s BEAM name change serves as a reminder of the growing legal complexities in crypto. As the blockchain industry matures, more projects will need to navigate trademark laws, intellectual property disputes, and branding conflicts—especially as institutional interest in crypto grows.
While the BEAM name might be changing, the vision behind it remains the same.
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