OpenAI Needs to Avoid Using Existing Product Names for Its Creations

In September, OpenAI introduced a feature that allows users to create a digital version of themselves for personalized deepfake videos. This stands as a key function in Sora, OpenAI’s application for sharing AI-generated videos in a TikTok-like feed. This self-deepfaking capability was branded as “cameo,” propelling Sora to the forefront of Apple’s iOS download rankings.

However, the naming of this feature triggered a trademark lawsuit with Cameo, the platform that allows fans to pay celebrities for personalized video messages. Due to the legal proceedings, OpenAI has temporarily removed the “cameo” label from its Sora app, now referring to the feature as “characters.”

Generative AI does not achieve creative originality, relying instead on identifying patterns within extensive datasets. OpenAI seems to reflect this derivative nature in its naming conventions. Along with the removal of “cameo” from Sora, OpenAI has also been instructed not to name its upcoming hardware device “io” due to a separate lawsuit from a company named “iyO” that is developing an AI-driven hardware product.

As per update logs on OpenAI’s website, the company removed the Sora feature name over a week after US District Judge Eumi K. Lee issued a temporary restraining order, which prohibited OpenAI from using “cameo” or its variations. The next court hearing, which may determine the longevity of this ban, is set for December 19.

According to Steven Galanis, CEO of Cameo, discussions between the two companies have been “pretty nonexistent.” He stated, “They clearly knew Cameo existed. They knew we had trademarks on it,” in a conversation with WIRED shortly after the judge’s ruling. “They chose the name anyway.”

Galanis views this lawsuit as an “existential” fight for the term “cameo” and the brand he has developed over the past eight years. “When people think about the word, now it means something different than authentic personalized connections,” Galanis noted. “It means AI slop.” He also mentioned that OpenAI’s naming choice was already affecting Cameo’s visibility in Google search results.

“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,” stated an OpenAI representative in an emailed response.