Court Grants Cameo Temporary Injunction Against OpenAI Over Sora Feature
Key Points
- Cameo secured a temporary restraining order against OpenAI over the use of the word “cameo” in Sora.
- The injunction, issued by Judge Eumi K. Lee, also blocks similar terms like “Kameo” and “CameoVideo.”
- The order remains effective until Dec. 22, with a hearing set for Dec. 19 to consider permanence.
- Cameo CEO Steven Galanis expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and hopes for a permanent resolution.
- OpenAI’s spokesperson disputed the trademark claim and intends to continue arguing its case.
- The dispute centers on potential consumer confusion and brand dilution.
- If upheld, the injunction could limit OpenAI’s marketing of Sora’s video‑creation features.
A U.S. district judge has issued a temporary restraining order that bars OpenAI from using the word “cameo” in its AI‑video platform Sora. The order, granted to celebrity‑video startup Cameo, also covers variations such as “Kameo” and “CameoVideo” and remains in effect until Dec. 22. The dispute stems from Cameo’s claim that OpenAI’s use of the term could confuse consumers and dilute its brand. A hearing is set for Dec. 19 to decide whether the injunction should become permanent. Both companies have issued statements, with Cameo’s CEO expressing gratitude for the court’s decision and OpenAI disputing the trademark claim.
Background
Cameo, a platform that lets users purchase short videos from celebrities, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in October, alleging that the AI‑research firm’s use of the word “cameo” in its new TikTok‑style video creation tool, Sora, could cause consumer confusion and dilute the Cameo brand. Prior to filing suit, Cameo’s chief executive officer, Steven Galanis, said the company attempted to resolve the dispute amicably, but claims OpenAI refused to stop using the name.
Legal Developments
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee granted Cameo a temporary restraining order that prohibits OpenAI from using the term “cameo” in connection with any features inside Sora. The order also extends to similar terms such as “Kameo” and “CameoVideo.” The injunction is set to remain in effect until Dec. 22, at which point a hearing scheduled for Dec. 19 will determine whether the order should be made permanent.
Company Reactions
Steven Galanis praised the decision, stating that the court’s action recognizes the need to protect consumers from confusion created by OpenAI’s use of the Cameo trademark. While acknowledging that the order is temporary, Galanis expressed hope that OpenAI will agree to cease using the mark permanently to avoid further harm.
An OpenAI spokesperson responded by disagreeing with Cameo’s claim that the word “cameo” can be exclusively owned, indicating that the company intends to continue its legal arguments before the court.
Implications
The injunction restricts OpenAI’s ability to market or label any Sora features with the contested terminology for the remainder of the year, potentially affecting the rollout of user‑generated video capabilities that allow individuals to upload their likeness for use by others. The outcome of the Dec. 19 hearing will determine whether the restriction becomes a lasting measure, which could have broader ramifications for trademark enforcement in the rapidly evolving AI‑generated content space.