EPISODE: Clawdbot, MoltBot, OpenClaw… Wait, What?
This week, Kandis and I break down a bizarre naming situation happening in the AI world — and what it reveals about trademarks.
In just a few weeks, one AI tool went from Clawdbot to MoltBot to OpenClaw after legal pressure.
At the same time, another platform called MoltBook went viral — with similar branding and even a lobster-style logo.
We spent 10 minutes trying to figure out which company was which.
That's exactly the problem trademarks are meant to solve.
Kandis and I talk through:
Why changing one letter (Claude vs Clawdbot) doesn't protect you
How "creative spelling" still creates legal risk
Why logos matter just as much as names
The hidden danger of generic Canva branding
When to trademark your name vs your logo
Why big brands rebrand — even when they should know better
We also unpack a common assumption:
If a big company picked the name, it must be safe.
Not true.
Big takeaway:
Trademarks exist to prevent confusion.
If people can't clearly tell you apart from someone else, you don't just have a branding issue — you may have a legal one.
Protect your name before you grow.
Not after you're forced to change it.
