Neal Schon may be reconsidering his plans. As Journey’s farewell tour progresses, he appears to have stepped back from the widely discussed trademark application for a potential offshoot band. At the very least, the guitarist is delaying his decision.
Nearly six months have passed since Schon was instructed to complete a final step to trademark the group, named Journey Beyond. This would conclude a lengthy application process that began on April 10, 2025. Schon now faces a crucial deadline this week – or he risks having to restart the process.
Meanwhile, Schon’s longtime bandmate Jonathan Cain has confirmed his departure. Journey subsequently announced the Final Frontier Tour for later in 2025. After that, the future remains uncertain.
What Is the Deadline for Neal Schon’s Trademark?
The farewell shows commenced in late February 2026, while Schon’s attorneys continued communication with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received a “notice of allowance” to trademark a group called Journey Beyond on March 24, 2026, but further paperwork is required.
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To obtain trademark protection, Schon “must file a statement of use or extension request within six months of the NOA issuance date,” according to the USPTO. This deadline falls on Thursday, Sept. 24. If he fails to meet it, the application will be deemed “abandoned.”
Schon’s attorneys can submit an extension request, but they must demonstrate that the delay was unintentional. Additional application fees would apply. Extensions can be filed every six months, but only up to five times. After that, Schon’s application will be voided.
How Did Rumors About Journey Beyond Start?
Schon’s initial paperwork indicated that the mark was intended solely for sound recordings and video releases. However, updated filings later confirmed plans to take Journey Beyond on tour. Schon was also seeking protection for related merchandise.
Rumors about this began almost immediately, despite the information being stored in a typical municipal building in Alexandria, Virginia. This was because Schon posted a simple image with the words “Journey Beyond” just days after first contacting the Patent and Trademark Office and began using those words in hashtags.
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In August 2025, Schon shared a more detailed Journey Beyond logo with “into the future” as a caption. Otherwise, he has remained quiet about the proposed group. It remains unclear who else might join Journey Beyond, although speculation has turned toward longtime tribute singer Hugo Valenti after he performed with the main band twice in Japan.
When asked by Rolling Stone if Journey would evolve into this new offshoot group, Schon replied: “Well, who knows? Nothing is set in stone right now until I actually get there.”
What Are Neal Schon’s Plans for Journey Beyond?
Schon’s broader ambitions became clearer when the federal Trademarks Official Gazette published his application. Attorneys added “live performances by a musical group” to the list of potential uses for the mark.
The original description for physical and digital releases by Journey Beyond was updated to include “featuring music.” Plans were also revealed to print Journey Beyond on “shirts, sweatshirts, hats and socks.” Finally, the amended application stated that “all of the foregoing related to a musical band.”
There was at least one previous obstacle along the way. Genesco Brands, owners of the Journeys trademark for clothing, filed for and received an extension on the typical 30-day trademark opposition period after Schon’s application appeared in the Trademarks Official Gazette. However, no further action resulted from this inquiry.
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Gallery Credit: Allison Rapp
