URGENT UPDATE: OpenAI has been ordered not to use 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 ruling comes after Cameo, the celebrity video-selling platform, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for trademark infringement.
The decision, confirmed earlier today, is set to remain in effect until December 22, 2023. The controversy arises from the Sora app’s ability to generate video likenesses of users, including celebrities, through its “Cameo” feature. This feature allows users to request videos featuring specific individuals, blurring the lines between OpenAI’s offerings and Cameo’s trademarked services.
In a statement to CNBC, OpenAI expressed its disagreement with the court’s ruling, asserting, “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’.” The company emphasizes its intent to present its case in court amid growing concerns about trademark rights and usage.
Cameo’s lawsuit highlights the potential for confusion among users, particularly as Sora allows video generations that do not necessarily fall under the official “Cameo” designation. For example, users can generate videos of Michael Jackson without using the Cameo feature, while prominent figures like Bryan Cranston may be included using different prompts, such as his character “Walter White” from *Breaking Bad*.
Cameo argues that this creates “obvious confusion” for users, especially since celebrities like Mark Cuban and Jake Paul are available on both platforms. The lawsuit raises critical questions about intellectual property in rapidly evolving digital spaces.
Furthermore, this ruling follows another legal challenge; last week, library app OverDrive also sued OpenAI over potential trademark issues related to Sora. The implications of these lawsuits could significantly impact OpenAI’s operations and branding strategies moving forward.
As of now, the Sora app still features the term “Cameo,” raising questions about OpenAI’s compliance with the ruling. The situation is developing, and users are eager to see how OpenAI will respond in the coming days.
Stay tuned for updates as this legal battle unfolds, with significant implications for both OpenAI and Cameo in the competitive landscape of digital content creation.
