Following Backlash, Popular YouTubers Drop "React" Trademark and Cancel Project

In the wake of an avalanche of negative feedback over its intention to trademark the world "React" and use it for a new service, the creators of popular YouTube channel Fine Brothers Entertainment have scrapped all plans to do so and apologized to fans.

"We're here to apologize," Benny and Rafi Fine said in a statement on Medium. "We realize we built a system that could easily be used for wrong. We are fixing that.

"The reality that trademarks like these could be used to theoretically give companies (including ours) the power to police and control online video is a valid concern, and though we can assert our intentions are pure, there's no way to prove them."

The Fine Brothers are taking these steps:

• Rescind all of our "React" trademarks and applications (including "React," "Kids React," "Elders React," and "Lyric Breakdown").
• Discontinue the React World program.
• Release all past Content ID claims.

They went on to say that the concerns some people have about React World are "understandable," though the brothers also stressed that some past video takedowns were the result of "mistakes from an earlier time."

"It makes perfect sense for people to distrust our motives here, but we are confident that our actions will speak louder than these words moving forward," they said. "This has been a hard week. Our plan is to keep making great content with the help of our amazing staff. Thank you for your time and for hearing us out."

As for the trademarks specifically, they still show up in the United States Patent & Trademark Office's database, but the necessary paperwork has been filed to remove them, the brothers said.

React World was to be a global network for which people could license the "React" format. The Fine Brothers said if React World was a success, it would in theory lead to a "larger global conversation" and shine a light on new creators. They said they even planned to launch a new channel and share advertising revenue with some creators to help them extend their audience. People were already signing up, they said.

In explaining the program, the brothers offered up an analogy related to Burger King, which is operated on a franchise basis.

"If you wanted to start a fast food restaurant, you can start one on your own and possibly find huge success. But if you love Burger King, and want to be part of that organization, if you join, you'd be able to get access to things like menu items and recipes and specific logos and promotional support," Benny Fine said in a video. "And these are two totally different routes. Same kind of thing here with React World.

The Fine Brothers Entertainment YouTube channel has almost 14 million subscribers. Its videos have been watched more than 3.8 billion times.