Judge temporarily blocks OpenAI from using ‘Cameo’ in video-making app Sora

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A federal judge has temporarily stopped OpenAI from using names like “Cameos” and “CameoVideo” when advertising or describing features of its Sora AI video generator.

As a big movie buff, I was surprised to hear that a judge stepped in to stop a major AI company in San Francisco from using certain names. Apparently, there’s a trademark disagreement going on, and the judge issued a temporary order to prevent them from using those names until things get sorted out. It’s like a plot twist in a legal drama!

The Northern California judge also set a Dec. 19 hearing to delve further into the matter.

Last month, Chicago tech company Baron App – also known as Cameo – filed a lawsuit against OpenAI. The company, which has been in business for eight years, claims OpenAI has infringed on its trademark and engaged in unfair competition.

In a lawsuit filed on October 28th, Baron stated that it owns U.S. trademarks for its Cameo service. Cameo allows fans to request personalized videos from celebrities, often for birthdays or other special occasions.

Hollywood Inc.

I was surprised to learn that Cameo, the tech company out of Chicago, is actually suing OpenAI! Apparently, they claim OpenAI is infringing on their trademark, which is a pretty serious accusation.

Cameo, the platform where fans can connect with celebrities, claims Open AI has been using its content without permission. The company’s lawsuit points out that stars like Snoop Dogg, Tony Hawk, Jon Bon Jovi, and Donald Trump Jr. have used Cameo to engage with their fans, and Cameo’s posts have garnered over 100 million views in the last year.

The conflict started when OpenAI revealed changes to its Sora video creation tool in September. These changes included a new feature called Cameos.

OpenAI recently updated its Sora app to let users scan their faces and then have those images altered within AI-created videos. Jake Paul, a YouTube personality and boxer who has invested in OpenAI, was one of the first to try out the new feature. The Sora app quickly became popular, reaching over 1 million downloads in under five days.

Business

Scrolling through the Sora app can feel a bit like entering a real-life multiverse.

According to a lawsuit, OpenAI is now using the trademark ‘CAMEO’ – which is owned by Cameo – to directly compete with the Cameo company itself, according to a complaint filed by Cameo.

Lawyers for the two companies argued their positions in a Tuesday hearing.

Judge Lee has ruled that OpenAI and its staff cannot use the name ‘Cameo’ or anything similar that could cause confusion. The court is now asking OpenAI to explain why a more permanent ban, known as a preliminary injunction, shouldn’t be put in place.

The temporary restraining order expires Dec. 22.

Cameo CEO Steven Galanis said the company hopes OpenAI will permanently stop using its trademark, even though the current court order is only temporary. He stated Cameo wants to resolve the issue quickly so it can focus on connecting fans with their favorite talent during the busy holiday season.

Sports

Thanks to smartphones and the social media platform Cameo, athletes, celebrities, and other public figures now have a new way to interact with their fans.

OpenAI stated they disagree with the claim that anyone can exclusively own the word “cameo,” and they plan to defend their position in court.

This decision follows recent criticism of OpenAI, particularly in Hollywood, after images of celebrities and deceased public figures were altered and used without permission.

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2025-11-23 05:31