OpenAI learned the hard way that Cameo trademarked the word ‘cameo’ (techcrunch.com)

OpenAI’s social app Sora faces a legal snag after launching a controversial deepfake feature called “Cameo” that lets users generate video messages of themselves or others (with permission). U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee issued a temporary restraining order on November 21, 2025 preventing OpenAI from using the word “cameo” — and similar-sounding terms — on Sora; the order runs until December 22, 2025 and a hearing is set for December 19. Cameo, the celebrity-video marketplace, argues the usage creates consumer confusion and infringes its trademark, while OpenAI disputes that the company can own exclusive rights to the common word “cameo.” Despite the TRO, the Sora app reportedly still displayed “cameo” wording as of Monday. For the AI/ML community this is a reminder that intellectual property and trademark law are immediate operational constraints on product naming and UX, not just abstract compliance items. The ruling could force rapid rebranding, UI/strings updates, and marketing changes — and highlights the broader risks when generative tools intersect with existing consumer brands. More broadly, courts weighing trademark claims against AI firms may set precedents for how descriptive terms can be used for AI-driven features, affecting naming, rollout strategies, and legal vetting processes across the industry.