Arizona State University Files Seven Metaverse-Related Trademark Applications

America’s biggest universities are starting to make plans for the metaverse and Web3.

In June, Arizona State University filed seven new trademark applications, which claim the school will soon begin offering:

1. NFTs of event tickets.
2. NFTs of campus landmarks and scenery.
3. NFTs of sports highlights (video and audio).
4. “Virtual goods” such as clothing that can be worn in virtual environments.
5. Virtual campus tours.
6. Classes in a “virtual environment.”

These are all great uses of NFT and metaverse technology. For example:

1. Athletic event tickets will be NFTs. If they are re-sold on secondary markets, ASU can get a cut of those sales as well. Also, anyone who attends a game can keep the NFT as proof of what game they attended.
   
2. ASU can create limited edition NFTs of campus landmarks and scenery to sell and raise money. If/when the NFTs are re-sold on secondary markets, the University can still get a percentage of that resale transaction… making money forever on the NFTs.
   
3. Students can go to a “virtual bookstore” and buy ASU branded clothing and swag to wear around the metaverse.
   
4. Students that can’t make it to class (for health or other reasons) can put on virtual goggles and attend/participate in class just like they were in the room.

These examples are a great “use case” of this technology for any business.

If your business is planning to incorporate NFTs or virtual worlds in the near future, remember that you likely need to file new trademark applications to cover your brand for these items.

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Josh Gerben, Esq.

Josh Gerben, Esq. is a nationally recognized trademark attorney and the founder of Gerben IP. Since launching the firm in 2008, he has overseen the registration of over 10,000 trademarks and handled over 1,500 trademark disputes. Josh's practice focuses on building and defending global trademark portfolios for clients. These clients include entrepreneurs, private equity-backed businesses, athletes, celebrities, and public companies. Frequently quoted by major media outlets like CNBC, CNN, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Josh is widely regarded as a leading authority in trademark law.