Elon Musk’s neural implant company Neuralink is attempting to secure trademarks for the names Telepathy and Telekinesis—concepts that align with Musk’s long-standing vision of giving humans “superpowers” through brain-computer interfaces. However, the path to owning these names is proving complicated, as a separate company has already filed trademark applications for both terms. According to Wired, a startup called Prophetic, focused on lucid dreaming technology, filed applications for Telepathy in 2023 and Telekinesis in the summer of 2024. Prophetic is led by computer scientist Wesley Berry, who claims his company is “pioneering a radical transformation of the human experience.” The company’s website outlines plans for a non-invasive neuromodulation wearable designed to help users achieve lucid dreaming, though details on how the technology functions remain limited. Because Prophetic’s applications were submitted first, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has blocked Neuralink from moving forward with its own trademark requests. Both companies filed “intent-to-use” applications, which allow entities to reserve trademark rights before launching products commercially. Prophetic’s Telepathy application was accepted in December 2024, and Telekinesis in August 2025. However, the trademarks won’t be officially registered until Berry demonstrates actual use of the marks in commerce—within three years of acceptance. If he fails to do so, the applications could be abandoned, opening the door for Neuralink to claim the names. Despite the setback, Neuralink is not expected to be significantly hindered. The company has a wide range of alternative names it could use for its futuristic products—Mind Control, for example, might serve just as well. Meanwhile, Neuralink continues advancing its clinical trials. Over the past week, two new patients were implanted with the company’s wireless brain-computer interface device at Toronto Western Hospital, part of the University Health Network (UHN). The surgeries took place on August 27 and September 3, 2025, and are part of a clinical trial assessing the safety and functionality of Neuralink’s implant and its surgical robot, known as R1. This 7-foot-tall robot is designed to perform the precise, delicate task of inserting the chip’s electrode wires into the brain. Both recipients of the implants are individuals living with spinal cord injuries. The first person to receive the device was Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic who underwent surgery in January 2024. Since then, Arbaugh has reported being able to play video games using only his thoughts. He remains vocal about the positive impact the technology has had on his life, frequently speaking with media outlets about his experience and expressing gratitude for being part of the trial.