BREAKING: OpenAI must cease using the term “Cameo” in its Sora app following a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Eumi K. Lee of the Northern District of California. The order, now in effect, comes after a lawsuit from Cameo, the popular celebrity video platform, alleging trademark infringement.
This urgent ruling marks a significant legal setback for OpenAI, particularly as the Sora app, which debuted on September 30, 2023, integrates video generation features directly linked to the term “Cameo.” The judge has set the expiration of this order for December 22, 2023, putting immediate pressure on OpenAI to adapt its branding strategy.
Cameo’s lawsuit asserts that OpenAI’s use of “Cameo” creates confusion among users regarding the app’s video generation capabilities, which allow users to generate videos featuring likenesses of individuals, including celebrities and friends. In contrast, Cameo’s service sells personalized videos from celebrities, further complicating the overlap of terminology.
OpenAI responded to the accusations, stating, “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo,’ and we look forward to continuing to make our case to the court.” This defiance indicates a potential legal battle ahead as the company navigates its branding amidst ongoing trademark disputes.
The Sora app has been at the center of controversy, particularly with its ability to generate videos featuring likenesses of various personalities. Notably, OpenAI has used the likeness of Michael Jackson in videos without marking it as a “Cameo,” raising questions about how the app defines its features. Additionally, users can generate videos of living actors like Bryan Cranston without using the Cameo feature, further blurring the lines of trademark usage.
Cameo claims that OpenAI’s actions demonstrate “blatant disregard for the obvious confusion it would create,” citing the presence of notable figures such as Mark Cuban and Jake Paul on both platforms as a source of potential mix-ups for users.
While “cameo” is a common term, OpenAI’s capitalization of the word in the context of Sora underscores the legal complexities involved. Furthermore, just last week, OpenAI faced another trademark challenge as OverDrive sued the company over a similar issue concerning Sora’s app icon, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of OpenAI’s branding choices.
As of now, the Sora app still features the term “Cameo,” raising questions about OpenAI’s compliance with the court order. Gizmodo’s recent test of Sora confirms this, suggesting that OpenAI may need to act swiftly to avoid further legal repercussions.
What’s Next: All eyes are on OpenAI as the company prepares to possibly modify its app in response to the restraining order. The tech community and users alike are awaiting updates on how this legal battle will unfold and what changes may come to the Sora app as a result.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
