UPS wants to get into the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFT)

UPS, the major U.S. package delivery company, has ambitions to get into the metaverse. Michael Kondoudis, an attorney, says he has identified several metaverse-related trademark applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database. UPS has registered several distinctive elements of its brand, such as its logo, and terms like "United Parcel Services" and "UPS Store."

The filings seen by the attorney include a description of a delivery and shipping service accessible from the metaverse. UPS obviously wants to allow its customers to schedule a package to be shipped through an interface that can be accessed in virtual or augmented reality. The filings don't say much about UPS's ambitions on this front.

According to the filings, UPS also wants to enter the non-fungible token (NFT) market. The company's filings refer to virtual object stores in the form of NFTs, including collectibles, clothing, vehicles, packages, airplanes and sports accessories. The deliberately vague description reveals UPS's interest in the blockchain-certified digital asset business.

Brands flock to the metaverse :

For Michael Kondoudis, these filings demonstrate UPS's interest in the metaverse. Like many other companies, the U.S. carrier is actively preparing for the rise of digital worlds accessible through virtual or augmented reality headsets. Interviewed by our colleagues at ExpertClick, the lawyer explains:

"UPS is a global shipping and delivery brand, and the value attached to its trademarks is significant. [...] Obviously, UPS sees the potential of the metaverse."

According to him, UPS's appeal is "indicative of a new trend in NFT and metaverse trademark registrations in the shipping, logistics and package delivery industry. Specifically, other big names in the industry are expected to follow UPS's lead in the near future. The number of trademark applications is expected to explode in the next 12 months, the lawyer prophesies.

Since Facebook became Meta, many world-renowned brands have turned to the metaverse. Recently, Mastercard has filed several patents dedicated to digital worlds and NFTs. This is also the case for American Express and Monster Energy.

Other companies have gone even further by partnering with firms in the blockchain and metaverse sector. For example, AXA France and the Casino Group have entered the virtual world of The Sandbox (SAND).