Perplexity AI, the developer behind the “Comet” search engine, has initiated legal action to cancel Comet ML’s trademark registrations, alleging fraudulent procurement. This move comes in response to Comet ML’s earlier lawsuit accusing Perplexity of trademark infringement over the “Comet” name.
Comet ML, established in 2017, offers a platform for managing and optimizing machine learning models. The company secured federal trademark registrations for “Comet” in 2019. In May 2025, Comet ML filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, asserting that Perplexity’s use of the “Comet” name for its AI-powered browser would lead to consumer confusion and infringe upon its established trademark rights. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/perplexity-ai-hit-with-trademark-suit-over-comet-browser-name?utm_source=openai))
In a countermeasure, Perplexity AI has petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to cancel Comet ML’s trademark registrations. Perplexity contends that Comet ML’s trademarks were obtained through fraudulent means, though specific details of the alleged fraud have not been publicly disclosed. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/artificial-intelligence/perplexity-trademark-case-tests-confusion-analysis-in-ai-era?utm_source=openai))
Legal experts suggest that this case underscores the complexities of trademark disputes in the rapidly evolving AI industry. Michael Hobbs Jr., a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, noted that the outcome may hinge on the court’s understanding of the technical distinctions between the companies’ products. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/artificial-intelligence/perplexity-trademark-case-tests-confusion-analysis-in-ai-era?utm_source=openai))
As the legal proceedings continue, the case is poised to set a precedent for how trademark rights are interpreted and enforced in the context of emerging AI technologies.