Neal Schon recently shared a “Journey Beyond” logo on his social media, sparking speculation about potential new musical ventures. Reports from X (formerly Twitter) documented the post.
The guitarist’s post included a caption that hinted at future plans.
“Into the future,” Schon said in his social media post.
Further investigation revealed that Schon filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in April to protect the “Journey Beyond” trademark.
The filing indicates that “The JOURNEY BEYOND™ mark is intended to cover the categories of musical sound recordings; downloadable musical sound recordings; series of musical sound recordings; compact discs featuring music; downloadable music files; downloadable MP3 files and MP3 recordings featuring music; musical video recordings; and pre-recorded CDs, video tapes, laser disks and DVDs featuring music.”
This new trademark application and branding have led to speculation that Schon may be planning to form a new offshoot band separate from Journey. The comprehensive nature of the trademark filing suggests potential plans for extensive musical releases under the Journey Beyond name.
The trademark filing comes during a period of ongoing tensions within Journey’s current lineup and legal complexities surrounding the band’s intellectual property.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Schon’s “Journey Beyond” trademark application is still awaiting assignment to an examining attorney. The process is underway, but has not yet been granted. The filing demonstrates Schon’s strategic approach to protecting potential new musical ventures under a brand that clearly references Journey’s legacy while establishing a distinct identity.
The timing of this trademark application coincides with recent legal developments involving Journey’s original members. KIXI noted that former Journey frontman Steve Perry recently dropped a lawsuit against Schon and fellow band member Jonathan Cain concerning the band’s trademarks. This resolution suggests some of the tensions surrounding Journey’s intellectual property may be easing, potentially clearing the path for new projects.
The legal disputes within Journey have been well-documented. Schon and Cain have faced various challenges in recent years. 97.7 The River documented that Perry had previously launched legal action against his former bandmates over song trademarks, highlighting the complex ownership issues that have surrounded the band’s catalog.
These developments suggest that while Journey’s original lineup continues to navigate internal challenges, Schon appears to be positioning himself for future musical endeavors that could extend the band’s legacy through new projects under the Journey Beyond brand. The comprehensive nature of the trademark filing indicates serious commercial intentions for whatever musical direction Schon plans to pursue.
