Elon Musk’s brain-implant company Neuralink, which develops chips implanted into the brain tissue of individuals with limited mobility due to neurological disorders, has filed new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The company is seeking rights to several terms often associated with science fiction—most notably Telepathy and Telekinesis—for its future products.

Founded in 2016, Neuralink is known for its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, often referred to in the media as a “brain chip.” The goal of this technology is to enhance or restore motor function in people suffering from neurological conditions by allowing them to interact with computers. Some users have already been able to control robotic limbs or communicate via text using only their thoughts.

What Would Trademarks for “Telepathy” and “Telekinesis” Actually Mean?

According to a trademark filing submitted on March 3, the product named Telepathy is defined as a “brain interface implantable into computers to facilitate communication and enable software and hardware control.” The claim of “facilitating communication” seems to reference ongoing experiments in which paralyzed individuals are able to type on a screen simply by thinking—thanks to their Neuralink implants.

However, the word telepathy traditionally implies communication between individuals using thought alone, without the need for any of the five senses. This suggests that Neuralink may be envisioning a future in which people with Neuralink implants can engage in thought-to-thought communication. Musk himself has previously speculated that such a future is possible.

The company has also filed a trademark for a product named Telekinesis. In science fiction, telekinesis refers to the ability to move objects without physical contact. Neuralink’s trademark application may be pointing to future use cases in which implants allow users to control robotic limbs or external devices purely through brain signals.