UK's Threads Software Limited Takes Aim at Meta Platforms Over Trademark Infringements

UK-based software company, Threads Software Limited, has launched a possible legal showdown with Meta Platforms for the alleged misuse of its trademarked name, “Threads.” The company has been the trademark owner since 2012 and alleges that despite rejecting four offers for the “threads.app” domain from Meta, the social media giant disregarded their refusal and initiated the use of Threads in July 2023.

Threads Software Limited disclosed that from April 2023, Meta's lawyers had made four unsuccessful bids to acquire the domain. "Our stance was clear. The domain was not for sale," the company revealed in a statement.

According to John Yardley, Threads Software Limited’s Managing Director, the company is demanding that Meta stop using the Threads name immediately. Should Meta fail to comply within 30 days, the company is ready to seek an injunction from UK courts.

Yardley commented on the gravity of challenging Meta Platforms—a multinational conglomerate worth $150 billion (R2.8 trillion)—terming it “a classic David and Goliath battle.”

Despite huge initial sign-ups of 30 million within one day, and over 100 million three days later, Meta's Threads has seen a significant drop in user numbers since its launch.

Threads Software Limited isn't alone in its legal contention with Instagram's Threads. Meta also faced allegations from X (formerly Twitter), who claimed Threads was a copycat product developed using its proprietary information, a direct competing application built by former X employees.