Court Blocks OpenAI’s Use of “Cameo” in Sora Video Tool

Background

Cameo, a marketplace where public figures sell brief, customized video messages, filed a trademark lawsuit against OpenAI over the use of the word “Cameo” within the company’s video‑generation tool, Sora. The dispute centers on a feature launched in Sora that allowed users to add any likeness to generated videos and was labeled “Cameo.”

Legal Action and Initial Relief

The suit argued that using the term in this context was likely to cause confusion and could dilute the Cameo brand. A temporary restraining order was originally granted in November of last year, providing early relief to Cameo.

Judge’s Ruling

U.S. District Judge Eumi Lee ruled that the lawsuit was likely to succeed and issued a preliminary injunction that blocks OpenAI from continuing to use the name “Cameo” or any similar variation in its Sora product. The judge’s decision reflects concerns that the overlapping use of the term could mislead consumers.

OpenAI’s Response

In response, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo,’ and we look forward to continuing to make our case,” indicating the company will appeal the injunction.

Broader Context

This case adds to a growing wave of intellectual‑property litigation targeting AI firms as video‑generation technology improves. Rights holders ranging from authors and music publishers to major movie studios have taken actions against companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity, seeking to protect their intellectual property in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.