Figma Cease and Desist: 'Dev Mode' Dispute with Lovable

A Potential Tech Industry Dispute Emerges

Indications suggest a new rivalry may be developing within the technology sector. Figma has reportedly issued a cease-and-desist notice to Lovable, a prominent no-code AI startup, as confirmed by TechCrunch.

Trademark Concerns Over “Dev Mode”

The core of the dispute centers around Lovable’s utilization of the term “Dev Mode” for a recently introduced product capability. Figma, having successfully registered the trademark for this term with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office last year, is requesting Lovable cease its use.

Interestingly, “dev mode” is a widely recognized phrase employed across numerous products geared towards software developers. It functions similarly to an editing environment. Major corporations, including Apple (iOS), Google (Chrome), and Microsoft (Xbox), feature functionalities formally designated as “developer mode,” often informally referred to as “dev mode” in supporting documentation.

Precedence and Common Usage

The term’s prevalence extends beyond these examples. Atlassian incorporated “dev mode” into its products years prior to Figma’s trademark claim, and it is a standard feature name within countless open-source software initiatives.

Figma’s Specific Trademark Scope

Figma clarifies to TechCrunch that its trademark protection applies specifically to the shortcut “Dev Mode,” and not the complete phrase “developer mode.” However, some observers draw a parallel to attempting to trademark a common term like “bug” in the context of “debugging.”

The Necessity of Enforcement

To maintain its trademark rights, Figma is compelled to actively defend its claim. Failure to do so could result in the term becoming generic and the trademark becoming unenforceable. The initial communication, as noted by many on X, was delivered in a courteous manner.

Arguments Regarding Genericity

Certain individuals online contend that the term is already considered generic, should not have been trademarked in the first place, and advocate for Lovable to challenge the cease-and-desist request.

Lovable’s Response

Anton Osika, co-founder and CEO of Lovable, informed TechCrunch that his company currently has no plans to comply with Figma’s demand and will not alter the feature’s name.

Potential Escalation and IPO Plans

The situation’s future remains uncertain. Figma is simultaneously preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), having filed confidential paperwork on Tuesday. Should Figma pursue legal action, the resulting international legal battle could prove costly for Lovable, the Swedish startup that secured a $15 million seed funding round in February.

The Rise of “Vibe Coding” and Competitive Dynamics

Lovable’s Innovative Approach

Lovable is gaining recognition as a leader in “vibe coding,” a novel approach where users describe their desired outcome in natural language, and the platform automatically generates the corresponding code. The “dev mode” feature, launched a few weeks ago, enables users to refine this generated code.

Lovable positions itself as a direct competitor to Figma, explicitly stating on its website that designers can leverage Lovable “without the time-consuming prototyping processes often required by tools like Figma.” Numerous newly established startups are already adopting this alternative.

Beyond a Trademark Dispute

This situation transcends a simple trademark disagreement; it represents a larger competitor asserting its position against a burgeoning challenger. Figma was last valued at $12.5 billion approximately a year ago.

Figma’s Selective Enforcement

A Figma spokesperson acknowledges this dynamic, explaining that the company has not sent cease-and-desist letters to other tech companies, such as Microsoft, because their products operate within “different categories of goods and services.”

Lovable’s Counterarguments

Osika of Lovable expressed his perspective to TechCrunch, suggesting that “Figma should prioritize enhancing its own product” rather than focusing on trademark enforcement. He also stated that Lovable is actively attracting customers away from Figma and other design tools developed before the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs).

Figma’s Perspective on “Vibe Coding”

In a recent conversation with Y Combinator’s Garry Tan, Figma co-founder and CEO Dylan Field downplayed the potential impact of “vibe coding.” While acknowledging its speed, Field emphasized the importance of providing users with the ability to “reach the finish line,” a capability he believes is currently lacking in these emerging tools, both in design and coding.

Lovable’s Defiant Stance

Osika demonstrated a willingness to compete, sharing a copy of Figma’s letter on X accompanied by a grinning emoji.

Note: This story has been updated with comments from Lovable.