Nike is quietly preparing for the metaverse
Nike has announced its plans to register its brand trademarks in the US for a variety of digital products.
The company’s filings seek to impose its marks on “downloadable virtual goods, namely computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys, and accessories for use online and in online virtual worlds.”
The sportswear giant submitted four trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 27.
However, the applications will not be officially finalised until they are placed in commercial use, as they are based on intended usage.
Nike has previously been offering virtual items as microtransactions as part of the NBA 2K video game series.
Digital items continue to gain popularity, with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) breaking into the mainstream.
Nike is yet to announce NFTs, although it secured a patent for “Cryptokicks” back in December 2019.
The news comes as Facebook announced its rebranding into Meta, which hopes to merge the real and digital worlds closer together through technology, including augmented and virtual reality.
“Nike is heading to the metaverse,” trademark lawyer Josh Bergen said in a tweet.
“These filings indicate an intent to make and sell Nike-branded virtual shoes and clothing.”
