URGENT UPDATE: OpenAI is prohibited from 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. This ruling comes after Cameo, the popular celebrity video-selling platform, filed a lawsuit alleging trademark infringement against OpenAI.
The judge’s order is set to expire on December 22, 2023, raising critical questions about the app’s future and its features. The Sora app debuted on September 30, alongside the highly publicized video generation model Sora 2, but has faced backlash due to its use of the term “Cameo.”
In Sora, “Cameos” allow users to generate videos of well-known personalities, but the term overlaps with Cameo’s service, where users purchase personalized videos from celebrities. The confusion is heightened as users might receive notifications stating, “Your Cameo from [celebrity] is ready,” contributing to the legal dispute.
Cameo argues that OpenAI’s usage of the term is a “blatant disregard” for the confusion it generates. The lawsuit highlights concerns that users may mistakenly believe Sora’s features are officially endorsed by Cameo, especially as both platforms feature celebrities like Mark Cuban and Jake Paul. OpenAI’s statement to CNBC asserts, “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’,” indicating their intent to contest the ruling in court.
Interestingly, not all videos generated in Sora are classified as “Cameos.” For instance, users can create likenesses of Michael Jackson without invoking the Cameo feature. In contrast, generating a video of living figures like Bryan Cranston can involve complex workarounds, such as prompting the character name “Walter White” instead.
The situation is further complicated as another lawsuit emerged last week when OverDrive accused OpenAI of violating trademark rules related to Sora’s app icon. This ongoing legal turmoil raises questions about Sora’s viability and its potential impact on OpenAI’s brand.
As of now, the Sora app continues to display the term “Cameo,” despite the legal constraints. OpenAI has been contacted regarding compliance with the order but has not yet responded. The outcome of these legal battles could reshape how developers approach app naming and trademark usage in the competitive tech landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of these rulings could have far-reaching impacts on both OpenAI and Cameo, as well as the broader app marketplace.
