OpenAI Removes Jony Ive Reference Amid Trademark Ruling

    0
    1

    In San Francisco, an exciting collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and renowned iPhone designer Jony Ive to create a groundbreaking artificial intelligence hardware product has encountered a legal obstacle. A federal judge has mandated a temporary halt to the promotion of their new joint venture.

    Last month, OpenAI announced its acquisition of io Products, a company co-founded by Ive, for nearly $6.5 billion. However, this deal soon faced a trademark dispute from a startup named IYO, which claims a phonetic similarity to the io brand. The startup, IYO, is also working on AI hardware and had approached Altman’s investment firm and Ive’s design firm with its proposals back in 2022.

    U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued a Friday ruling, acknowledging that IYO has presented a strong case for trademark infringement, allowing the case to move forward to an October hearing. The ruling prohibits Altman, Ive, and OpenAI from using the IYO trademark or any confusingly similar marks, particularly the IO mark, in any marketing or sales endeavors related to their product.

    In response, OpenAI removed all references to the new venture from its website, including the announcement page set up on May 21. Instead, a message was posted stating that the page is “temporarily down due to a court order,” expressing disagreement with the complaint and noting that the company is considering its legal options.

    Jason Rugolo, CEO of IYO, welcomed the court’s decision in a statement. He emphasized the startup’s commitment to safeguarding its brand and technological investments against infringements. “IYO will not roll over and let Sam and Jony trample on our rights, no matter how rich and famous they are,” Rugolo declared.