Figma threatens companies using "Dev Mode"

Figma has sent cease and desist letters to companies, including the Swedish AI startup Lovable, for using the term "Dev Mode," claiming it infringes on their trademark. This action has sparked controversy and criticism within the tech community, with many arguing that "Dev Mode" is a widely used and generic term in the industry.

Background[edit | edit source]

Figma's Dev Mode: Figma's "Dev Mode" is a feature that helps streamline the handoff between designers and developers by displaying CSS properties and other developer-friendly information.

Lovable's Dev Mode: Lovable's "Dev Mode" allows users to edit the code generated by its AI, enabling non-coders to build applications more easily.
Historical Use: The term "Dev Mode" has been used in the tech industry since at least 2004, according to Google Trends data.
Legal Precedents: While trademarking common terms is not unprecedented, the tech community is particularly sensitive to such actions, especially when they affect smaller companies and open-source projects.

[Incident][edit | edit source]

Figma, a popular online design and collaboration tool, has recently taken legal action against several companies for using the term "Dev Mode." The company has trademarked this term and has been sending cease and desist letters to smaller startups, demanding they stop using it. This move has generated significant controversy and criticism within the tech community.

Theo - t3․gg's response[edit | edit source]

Theo begins by highlighting a letter from Figma's general counsel, demanding that companies cease using the 'Dev Mode' trademark. He expresses his astonishment and disapproval, referring to this as one of the most ridiculous things he's witnessed in the tech industry. Theo shares his insights into the implications of such protective actions for Figma's brand image and its place in the market.

In the middle section, Theo goes on to discuss Figma's attempts to expand beyond its design roots into the development sector, mentioning tools like 'Dev Mode'. Despite these efforts, Theo believes Figma is failing to capture the developer market as intended. He explores the impact of AI on the design process, noting that AI tools have substantially altered the need for traditional design software.

Towards the end, Theo delves into the significance of trademark protection and how it relates to Figma's aggressive stance. He draws parallels to past trademark disputes, such as those involving Microsoft and Oracle. Theo considers Figma's current legal approach as desperate and suggests it may backfire, especially with an IPO on the horizon and a rapidly changing industry.

Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.

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References[edit | edit source]

Theo - t3․gg. “Figma threatens companies using "Dev Mode."” YouTube, 16 April 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P73EGVfKNr0. Accessed 21 April 2025.

https://opentools.ai/youtube-summary/figma-threatens-companies-using-dev-mode

sorry for terrible submission, but needed to get this out ASAP