Linea, backed by ConsenSys, attacks Matter Labs’ power over “Zero-Knowledge” technology

ConsenSys-backed Layer 2 network Linea has extended support for StarkWare’s statement denouncing Matter Labs’ attempts to trademark the term “zero knowledge” (ZK) to nine countries.

Matter Labs, the entity behind zkSync, aims to assert sole control over this fundamental cryptographic concept, sparking industry-wide outrage. Notably, Matter Labs has also pursued the registration of a token under the ticker symbol “ZK” with exchanges in order to further their claim on technology they did not create.

Linea supports StarkWare: Condemns Matter Labs’ move

Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology is crucial to privacy and security on the blockchain, as it allows individuals to prove claims without revealing underlying data.

StarkWare, along with other figures such as Turing Award winner and StarkWare Scientific Advisory Board member Shafi Goldwasser, condemned Matter Labs’ actions as an attempt to privatize a public good. In a public statement, StarkWare said:

“A company exploiting the legal system to annex a public good violates the cryptographic ethos, the Ethereum ethos, and the academic ethos. It even goes against Matter Labs’ own ethos, which says: ” We can make this world better by increasing people’s freedom.’

StarkWare, a software company that develops ZK-proof technology, urged the community to take action against Matter Labs while highlighting the irony of the latter’s actions. The firm noted that its stated principles advocate for collective action against “oppressive behavior.”

Weighing in on the matter, Linea also stated that using a legal framework to monopolize a branch of comprehensive cryptography to create decentralized and permissionless L2 execution environments contradicts the ethos of Ethereum.

Linea even pointed to the collaborative nature of Ethereum development, where researchers contribute to scaling solutions like the zkEVM Layer 2 networks. The attempt to claim ownership of the ZK technology inhibits progress towards a larger network inclusive and resistant to censorship, according to Linea’s statement on May 31.

Matter Labs addresses the controversy

In response to the controversy surrounding trademark applications, Matter Labs stated that the ZK technology belongs to the community and clarified that the move is intended to ensure that the term “ZK” can be used freely in context of its projects such as “ZK Sync” and “ZK Stack”, using trademarks as the only legal tool available for such protection.

The company also addressed the misconception that trademarks grant exclusive ownership over a word or phrase, adding that the rights only extend to specific goods or services.

Polygon Labs legal and policy director Rebecca Rettig responded to Matter Labs, questioning the need for trademark applications and suggesting that if external challenges forced them to apply for the trademark, transparency would be essential. The executive even ruled out the need for a framework to grant permission for the use of the term “zk” as it should be freely available to everyone without permission.

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