Tesla and SpaceX Sue Over Terafab Trademark for Texas Chip Plant

Tesla and SpaceX have filed a lawsuit against Illinois-based TERA-print LLC over the "Terafab" trademark for a planned Texas semiconductor factory, seeking a court ruling that their use does not infringe on the company's rights. TERA-print claims ownership of the registered "TERA-FAB" mark for photolithography tools and sent a cease-and-desist letter after the factory was announced in March. Tesla argues the sectors are distinct, stating no reasonable consumer would confuse the chip plant with TERA-print's benchtop lithography products. The dispute follows failed settlement talks, with TERA-print accusing Musk's companies of proceeding to court despite ongoing negotiations. TERA-print cites a decade of use and a U.S. Defense Department contract, while Tesla has filed its own trademark applications for "Terafab" covering semiconductor production.