Nvidia Is Defending Its Hopper GPU Trademark Against Dish Network

Nvidia is embroiled in a trademark dispute with Dish Network about its next-generation Hopper GPUs. They argue that Nvidia's 2019 trademark application for 'Nvidia Hopper' infringes on their own 'Hopper' trademark. 

Hopper is the name of Dish Network's DVR and satellite receiver. We can see why Nvidia would wish to trademark the term "Hopper," considering it is the codename for forthcoming GPUs. There's a slim chance that Dish's equipment may be confused with Nvidia's upcoming data center GPU. On April 23, 2021, Dish Network LLC filed an opposition with the USPTO against Nvidia Corporation for the trademark 'Nvidia Hopper.' For example, Dish claims that Nvidia's trademark will be confused with its own owned words such as Hopper, Hopper Go, Hopper Duo, Hopper Plus

Nvidia's next-generation GPU architecture is codenamed Hopper. In typical Nvidia style, the architecture codename honors a renowned scientist. In this case, it's the late Grace Hopper, a computer titan who designed the COBOL programming language and the first compiler. HPC-focused multi-chip module (MCM) built on TSMC's 5nm node, according to Hopper's GPU architecture.

The two firms have been negotiating a settlement since May 2021, with intermittent suspensions for settlement submitted in the preceding months. On December 23, 2021, a sixth motion to suspend for 60 days while the parties negotiate was filed.

Unless the parties achieve an agreement or file a new application to revoke the suspension, pre-trial discovery will automatically resume on February 22, 2022. Given the expected availability of Nvidia's Hopper GPUs this year, we should hear about a settlement soon. Nvidia's next-generation consumer GPUs, codenamed Ada or Lovelace, are expected later this year. Unlike Hopper, we are not aware of any trademark issues.