OpenAI can't use the term 'Cameo' in Sora following temporary injunction (www.engadget.com)

A federal judge has granted Cameo a temporary restraining order preventing OpenAI from using the word “cameo” (and variants like “Kameo” and “CameoVideo”) in connection with Sora, OpenAI’s TikTok-like app for creating AI-generated videos. The order, effective until December 22, follows Cameo’s October lawsuit alleging trademark infringement and consumer confusion; a hearing is set for December 19 to decide whether the injunction should be made permanent. Sora’s disputed “cameo” feature lets users upload their likenesses so others can incorporate them into generated videos — the core of Cameo’s claim that OpenAI’s name choice dilutes its brand and misleads users. For the AI/ML community this is a notable reminder that product names and feature labels intersect with trademark law, especially when synthetic-media platforms enable reuse and monetization of likenesses. Beyond branding, the case highlights practical risks for developers building marketplaces or APIs that host user-provided faces and voices: legal exposure around consumer confusion, consent, and association with established services may force renames, feature redesigns, or tighter provenance/consent controls. A permanent ruling in Cameo’s favor could set a precedent that courts will quickly police trademark overlap in the fast-moving synthetic-media space, making IP clearance and careful UX signaling essential for AI startups.