Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin & Others Applauded By MatterLabs Amid ZK Saga, Here’s All

Highlights

Matter Labs' application to trademark "ZK" sparks concern about monopolizing a fundamental cryptographic concept.
Ethereum leaders propose creating an ownerless entity to manage and freely license critical terms like "ZK."
Matter Labs pledges not to pursue new ZK trademarks, to support the community-led entity financially, and to transfer existing trademarks to this entity.

Matter Labs’ recent trademark application for “ZK,” an abbreviation for zero knowledge in cryptography, has ignited debate in the Ethereum ecosystem. Known for its zkSync project, Matter Labs aims to claim exclusive ownership of this concept, raising concerns among Ethereum enthusiasts and the broader cryptographic community.

Zero-knowledge proofs, developed through global collaboration, are fundamental and widely used. The potential monopolization of this technology by one entity threatens innovation and open collaboration, clashing with the community’s values of decentralization, open-source principles, and collective advancement.

Unified Front: Community Proposals to Protect Open Access

In light of the controversy, key figures within the Ethereum community have stepped forward with suggestions to ensure that critical terms like “ZK” remain freely accessible and safeguarded against monopolistic practices. Vitalik Buterin, along with other influential community members such as Ilia Polosukhin, Hasu, Micah Zoltu, Pat Naji, Stani Kulechov, Lex Node, Haseeb Qureshi, and Pascal Cavarsaccio, have been instrumental in shaping the discourse around this issue.

Matter Labs has acknowledged these contributions and expressed gratitude for the collective effort to protect the communal interests. The community’s proposal, which Matter Labs endorses, outlines a multi-faceted approach to address the situation. The core elements of the proposal include the creation of an ownerless legal entity that would hold trademarks for “ZK” and similar critical terms. This entity is envisioned to be led by a trusted, credibly neutral organization or a consortium of community members.

Additionally, the proposal suggests that this entity would grant free licenses of these trademarks to everyone, ensuring open access and preventing any single entity from asserting control. To bolster trust and credibility, the proposal also calls for the involvement of prominent community figures and neutral organizations as guarantors, thereby reinforcing the initiative’s legitimacy and community-driven ethos.

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Matter Labs’ Commitment: Pledges to Support Open Collaboration

To further demonstrate their commitment to the principles of openness and collaboration, Matter Labs has made several significant pledges. Firstly, they have committed to not filing any new trademark applications for ZK and to refrain from appealing any such applications if they are rejected. Matter Labs has also vowed never to enforce any ZK trademarks they currently own or may acquire in the future, except for defensive purposes, such as preventing others from asserting exclusive control.

Secondly, Matter Labs has pledged to provide financial support for the establishment of the proposed community-led trademark-holding entity. This financial backing shows their dedication to a collaborative and decentralized approach to managing critical cryptographic terms. Lastly, Matter Labs has committed to transferring all their filed ZK trademarks to this new entity immediately, signaling a concrete step towards relinquishing control and fostering a more inclusive and open environment.

Matter Labs is actively seeking the involvement of the Ethereum and ZK communities to help shape and implement this new model. They have invited everyone to join and contribute to this effort, providing a contact point for collaboration at their customer care link. This initiative aims to ensure that critical cryptocurrency terms remain freely available and protected against monopolization, thereby supporting a vibrant and collaborative ecosystem that encourages innovation and collective progress.

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