Neuralink’s Bold Frontier: Filing Trademarks for ‘Telepathy’ and ‘Telekinesis’

Wren Crowe

5 days ago

neuralink files 'telepathy' and 'telekinesis' trademarks

Elon Musk’s brain-interface company Neuralink has recently taken significant steps toward commercializing its futuristic technology by filing trademark applications for terms straight out of science fiction: ‘Telepathy’ and ‘Telekinesis’. These trademark filings, submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in early March 2025, signal the company’s ambitious plans to develop products that could potentially enable direct brain-to-computer communication and even thought-based control of external objects. The applications suggest that what once seemed like distant science fiction may be approaching commercial reality, as Neuralink moves beyond its current experimental phase toward branded consumer products that could fundamentally transform human-computer interaction and communication.

Neuralink’s Trademark Applications: Signaling Future Products

Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, submitted its trademark application for ‘TELEPATHY’ on March 3, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s development trajectory1. The application was filed on an “intent-to-use” basis with the USPTO, which carries legal significance as it contains a sworn declaration that Neuralink is actively developing a TELEPATHY-branded product and plans to introduce it to the market within the next few years1. This filing method indicates that the company’s plans aren’t merely speculative but represent concrete steps toward commercialization of thought-controlled communication technology1.

The trademark application for ‘Telepathy’ describes the product as “an implantable brain-computer interface for facilitating communication and control of software and hardware”6. This description aligns with Musk’s previous statements that the company’s first product would be called Telepathy and would enable people with paralysis to control computers or phones through thought alone6. However, the wording of the application suggests broader ambitions, potentially including direct brain-to-brain communication between individuals equipped with Neuralink implants6.

Beyond ‘Telepathy,’ Neuralink has simultaneously filed for other futuristic trademarks, including ‘Telekinesis’26 7. While ‘Telepathy’ focuses on communication aspects, ‘Telekinesis’ appears to target the ability to control physical objects using mere thoughts2. This technology could potentially enable users to manipulate external devices such as robotic limbs or other machinery through neural commands without physical interaction8. The simultaneous filing of these trademarks reflects a comprehensive strategy to secure naming rights for various applications of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface technology.

Additional trademark applications by Neuralink include ‘Blindsight,’ which appears to be aimed at restoring vision for those with visual impairments, and ‘Link,’ presumably referring to the core brain-computer interface system itself7. Together, these trademark filings paint a picture of Neuralink’s expansive vision for neural interface technologies addressing various human capabilities and limitations.

The Technology Behind Neuralink’s Vision

The foundation of Neuralink’s ambitious trademark filings rests on its developing brain-computer interface technology, a system designed to decode brain activity for controlling external devices4 6. This technology involves a brain implant that collects neural signals, paired with sophisticated software that translates these signals into functional commands, such as cursor movements on a computer screen4 6. The interface represents the culmination of years of research and development in neuroscience, materials science, and artificial intelligence.

Neuralink has already begun testing its technology in humans, with three individuals having received experimental implants as part of an early feasibility study6 7. The first recipient, identified as Noland Arbaugh, underwent brain surgery to receive the device in January 20246 7. This milestone represented a critical transition from animal testing to human applications, demonstrating the company’s progress toward viable medical devices. In November, Neuralink expanded its testing capacity by receiving approval to establish a trial site in Canada, indicating growing international interest in the technology’s potential6.

The current implementation of Neuralink’s technology focuses primarily on enabling paralyzed individuals to interact with computers through thought. The brain implant collects neural activity patterns, which are then processed through algorithms that interpret these signals and translate them into digital commands. This allows users to move cursors, select items on screen, or potentially type messages without physical movement6. While current applications remain medically focused, the trademark filings suggest eventual expansion into broader consumer applications.

The technical challenges involved in creating reliable brain-computer interfaces remain substantial. Neural signals are complex and highly individualized, requiring sophisticated machine learning algorithms to interpret accurately. Additionally, long-term biocompatibility of implanted devices presents ongoing engineering challenges. Despite these obstacles, Neuralink’s progress suggests that the company is making significant headway in addressing these technical hurdles.

Potential Applications and Implications

The implications of Neuralink’s trademark filings extend far beyond simple product naming, suggesting a future where direct neural interfaces could revolutionize both medical treatment and everyday communication. The ‘Telepathy’ trademark hints at a product that would fundamentally transform how humans interact with technology and potentially with each other1 6. For individuals with paralysis or other motor disabilities, such technology could provide life-changing capabilities, allowing them to communicate, work, and engage with digital systems through thought alone6 7.

Beyond medical applications, the potential consumer applications of Neuralink’s technology are vast and potentially transformative. A fully functional brain-computer interface could allow users to send messages, control devices, or interact with software without physical inputs1. Everyday tasks such as composing emails, browsing websites, or controlling smart home systems could become entirely thought-driven processes, eliminating the need for keyboards, touchscreens, or voice commands1. This could represent the most significant shift in human-computer interaction since the development of graphical user interfaces.

Perhaps most intriguing is the possibility of direct brain-to-brain communication suggested by the trademark filings. While Neuralink’s current focus remains on brain-to-device communication, the company’s trademark application language suggests ambitions for enabling telepathic exchanges between individuals equipped with Neuralink implants6. Musk himself has previously described this concept as “consensual telepathy,” where people could communicate conceptually without the limitations of verbal or written language6. Such technology, if realized, would represent an unprecedented development in human communication, potentially allowing for more direct and efficient exchange of ideas.

The ‘Telekinesis’ trademark suggests another ambitious application: using neural signals to directly control physical objects in the environment28. This could include specialized robotic limbs or devices designed to respond to neural commands, allowing users to manipulate their surroundings through thought alone8. For individuals with limited mobility, such capability could provide significant independence in interacting with their environment.

Elon Musk’s Long-Term Vision

The recent trademark filings align with Elon Musk’s consistently expressed vision for neural interface technology. Musk has long been fascinated with the potential of direct brain-computer communication, viewing it as a logical evolution in human-technology interaction6. As early as 2017, Musk articulated his vision for Neuralink, advocating for direct thought communication among people: “If I were to convey an idea to you, it would be akin to engaging in consensual telepathy. You wouldn’t need to articulate verbally unless you wished to embellish the discussion, but the interaction would be conceptual on a level that is hard to imagine at present”6.

Musk’s ambitions for Neuralink extend beyond communication and device control, encompassing potential medical applications such as treating neurological conditions. He has made bold claims about the technology’s potential, suggesting that “Neuralink has the potential to fully cure paralysis” and that “it is possible from the physics standpoint to restore full body functionality”2. While such claims require substantial scientific validation, they reflect Musk’s characteristic optimism regarding technological solutions to complex problems.

The timeline for realizing these ambitious goals remains uncertain. While the trademark filings indicate Neuralink’s intent to commercialize products under these names, the development of safe, effective, and regulatory-approved neural interfaces involves numerous scientific, engineering, and regulatory challenges. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben notes that claims in trademark applications can sometimes be speculative and overly broad compared to patent applications, which must be more detailed about how an invention works and what it will be used for6. Nevertheless, the filing of these trademarks represents a concrete step toward commercialization.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Despite the promising vision suggested by the trademark filings, Neuralink’s technology remains primarily in the experimental phase. The company has begun human trials with three participants receiving experimental implants6 7, but widespread commercial applications will require extensive additional testing, refinement, and regulatory approval. The trademark registration process itself may take 12 to 18 months, potentially affected by government efficiency measures impacting the USPTO7.

The regulatory pathway for neural interface technologies is complex and still evolving. As a novel class of medical devices with unprecedented capabilities, Neuralink’s products will face rigorous scrutiny from regulatory bodies concerned with both safety and ethical implications. The company has already navigated initial regulatory hurdles to begin human testing, but full approval for commercial medical applications—let alone consumer products—will require comprehensive demonstration of safety and efficacy.

The ethical, privacy, and security concerns surrounding thought-based communication and control technologies are immense and largely unprecedented1. Questions about data security, thought privacy, and potential misuse of neural interfaces will need to be addressed as these technologies approach commercialization. Could such technology be compromised by unauthorized access? Would thought-to-thought communication fundamentally alter our understanding of personal privacy? Regulators and ethicists will likely scrutinize these aspects carefully as Neuralink progresses toward product launches1.

Despite these challenges, Neuralink’s trademark filings represent a significant signal that the company believes commercial applications of its technology are approaching viability. The filing of these trademarks on an intent-to-use basis legally commits the company to a genuine plan for bringing products to market in the foreseeable future1. While the exact timeline remains uncertain, these legal steps suggest that Neuralink’s vision for neural interfaces may be closer to realization than many might have expected.

For the broader population, they hint at a potential future where the line between thought and action, between mind and technology, becomes increasingly blurred.

Neuralink’s trademark filings for ‘Telepathy,’ ‘Telekinesis,’ and other futuristic terms represent more than simple brand protection—they signal the company’s confidence in its technological progress and its commitment to commercializing neural interface products. These applications suggest a future where direct neural control of devices and potentially direct brain-to-brain communication could become reality, fundamentally transforming how humans interact with technology and with each other.

While significant technical, regulatory, and ethical challenges remain before such products reach widespread use, the intent-to-use basis of these trademark filings indicates Neuralink’s concrete plans for bringing these concepts to market. For individuals with paralysis or other disabilities, these developments offer hope for revolutionary new capabilities and independence. For the broader population, they hint at a potential future where the line between thought and action, between mind and technology, becomes increasingly blurred.

Whether Neuralink’s ambitious vision will be fully realized remains to be seen, but these trademark filings mark an important milestone in the company’s journey toward making science fiction capabilities into commercial reality. As Neuralink continues its human trials and refines its technology, the world watches to see if Musk’s vision of telepathic communication and thought-controlled devices will indeed transform from trademark applications to everyday reality.

Neuralink’s Trademark Applications: Signaling Future Products

The Technology Behind Neuralink’s Vision

Potential Applications and Implications

Elon Musk’s Long-Term Vision

Current Status and Future Outlook

Citations: